The first step in HIPAA compliant software development is a risk assessment. This means looking at where and how patient data is stored and used, and checking for weak spots. Developers ask questions like: Who can see the data? Is it encrypted? Could hackers get in?
This process is similar to the one used for GDPR in Europe, where developers must also check for risks and protect personal data. You can read about these steps in the Ailoitte GDPR guide.
After finding the risks, developers set up safeguards like encryption and strong passwords. They also train staff to handle data safely. This makes the software safer and keeps it HIPAA compliant.