A single misdirected email. That’s all it took for one small clinic to face a $500K HIPAA fine in 2023. And it wasn’t a cyberattack. It was human error. Incidents like this sadly happen all the time, but the risk and your responsibilities as a holder of ePHI are only growing with the release of the new 2025 HIPAA security guidelines.

Healthcare organizations are already under pressure from ransomware, phishing, and insider breaches. 

Now another wave of urgency is building. The proposed HIPAA 2025 Privacy Rule represents the most significant overhaul in more than a decade and is widely expected to pass in some form. 

If approved, it will require:

• Stronger safeguards around PHI
• Faster breach reporting (as short as 24 hours)
• Stricter vendor oversight

That leaves little time for last-minute compliance. 

For healthcare organizations using Salesforce, the message is clear:

HIPAA-ready infrastructure is not the same as being HIPAA compliant. 

At Wise Wolves, we’ve helped providers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical technology firms prepare their Salesforce environment to meet today’s HIPAA requirements and be ready for tomorrow’s. 

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Top 7 Myths About the Proposed HIPAA 2025 Privacy Rule

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1. Does HIPAA only apply when sharing data externally?

Myth: HIPAA rules only apply when PHI leaves your network.

Reality: No. HIPAA applies to all electronic PHI, even if it stays inside your systems. The proposed update reinforces that encryption, access controls, and monitoring must cover internal data, too. Salesforce has these capabilities. Wise Wolves can work with you to ensure they’re deployed correctly. 

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2. Do mistakes like mis-faxed PHI count as HIPAA violations?

Myth: If PHI is sent to the wrong person by mistake, it’s not a compliance issue. 

Reality: The proposed update explicitly classifies even accidental disclosures as reportable incidents. Detection within 24 hours and corrective action will be required. Salesforce’s audit logs and real-time alerts support this. Wise Wolves can help ensure they’re configured and monitored so nothing slips through.

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3. Can PHI be accessed outside the U.S.?

Myth: HIPAA forbids access to PHI from outside the U.S.

Reality: It’s allowed, but only under strict conditions: strong encryption, documented risk assessments, and technical safeguards. Salesforce can support secure global access. Wise Wolves can work with you to ensure those safeguards are in place because “secure by default” doesn’t mean “secure by regulation.”

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4. Can I wait to encrypt my patient files until the rule is final?

Myth: We’ll deal with encryption later. 

Reality: If approved, encryption at rest and in transit will be non-negotiable. Delaying now means a last-minute scramble later. Wise Wolves can help implement encryption in Salesforce today so you’re ready, no matter the timeline.

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5. Is Salesforce automatically HIPAA compliant?

Myth: Buying Salesforce automatically makes you HIPAA compliant.

Reality: Salesforce provides HIPAA-ready infrastructure, but compliance depends on how it’s configured. Permissions, integrations, and apps all must align with HIPAA safeguards. Wise Wolves can help bridge that gap by tailoring Salesforce to your workflows.

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6. What data is not covered by HIPAA?

Myth: All health-related information falls under HIPAA.

Reality: No. HIPAA only covers PHI with personal identifiers. De-identified datasets or wellness app data may fall outside scope but mishandling them can still damage trust and invite scrutiny. Wise Wolves can support you in classifying and managing this data inside Salesforce so nothing is mishandled.

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7. Is HIPAA only for healthcare providers?

Myth: Vendors handle it so we don't have to. 

Reality: The proposed update reaffirms that covered entities and business associates such as SaaS providers, contractors, cloud platforms, IT consultants, are all accountable. Even if a vendor processes your PHI, you remain legally responsible. Wise Wolves can work with you to lock down Salesforce across your org and every connected vendor so compliance isn’t left to chance.

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Don’t Wait for HIPAA 2025 to Pass

The Privacy Rule proposal isn’t law yet. But:

• Many of the requirements reflect best practices regulators already expect.so your whole team, not just IT, supports compliance.”
  

• Encryption, access controls, and vendor audits can’t be bolted on overnight.
  

• Moving early positions you ahead of competitors who will be scrambling later.

Wise Wolves has worked with healthcare organizations from small clinics to global life sciences firms, helping them map, secure, and monitor every piece of PHI in Salesforce.

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How Wise Wolves Can Prepare Your Salesforce for HIPAA 2025

Lock Down Every Piece of ePHI

We can work with you to identify where your patient data lives across Salesforce and connected apps, and secure it with encryption at rest and in transit.

Role- & Location-Based Access Controls

We can help configure permissions so only the right people get in, wherever they log in from.

24-Hour Incident Detection & Response

We can set up monitoring and automated workflows so suspicious activity is flagged and addressed immediately.

Vendor & App Risk Audits

We can help your team review all Salesforce integrations and vendors to confirm they meet HIPAA security requirements.

Compliance That’s More Than Tech

We can help your team create clear policies, training, and role-based processes so your whole team, not just IT, supports compliance.

Stay Ahead of Deadlines

We can help set up encryption, MFA, and reporting before they’re mandatory so you’re ready while others scramble.

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Bottom line: The HIPAA rule isn’t final yet, but the preparation can’t wait. Wise Wolves can help configure Salesforce today so you’re ready for whatever form the update takes. 

Contact Wise Wolves about HIPAA 2025 today. We can help make compliance one less thing to howl about.