The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. law aimed at protecting patient information from unauthorized access, with violations potentially leading to significant civil and criminal penalties. Notable fines, such as Memorial Healthcare Systems' $5.5 million penalty in 2017, highlight the severity of non-compliance, which can arise from carelessness or unlawful intent. Common violations include unauthorized access to information, inadequate risk management, and failure to protect electronically protected health information. High-profile cases, such as the imprisonment of Dr. Huping Zhou for accessing celebrity medical records, underscore the importance of adhering to HIPAA regulations. To avoid violations, healthcare organizations must implement comprehensive security measures, ensure proper staff training, and maintain strict compliance with HIPAA guidelines. In particular, secure communication platforms are essential to prevent data breaches, as public messaging services are prone to violations. Organizations are encouraged to utilize HIPAA-compliant solutions, like those offered by PubNub, to maintain secure communications and protect sensitive healthcare information.