HIPAA
- HIPAA Server Configuration Guide
This guide details the necessary server configuration considerations for handling Protected Health Information (PHI) in a MediaWiki environment, aiming for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This is a complex topic, and this document serves as a starting point. Consult with legal and security professionals for full HIPAA compliance.
Understanding HIPAA and MediaWiki
MediaWiki, while a powerful platform for knowledge management, requires careful configuration to meet HIPAA security and privacy requirements. PHI, as defined by HIPAA, must be protected through technical, administrative, and physical safeguards. This document focuses on technical safeguards related to server configuration. It’s critical to remember that HIPAA compliance is not solely about technology; policies, training, and procedures are equally important. See Security Policy for more information. We will cover aspects like access control, audit logs, data encryption, and secure communication. Consider the Data Backup Strategy in conjunction with this document.
Server Hardware Requirements
The physical server infrastructure forms the foundation of a HIPAA-compliant MediaWiki installation. Choosing appropriate hardware and configuring it securely are crucial.
| Component | Specification | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Xeon Gold 6248R (or equivalent) | Provides sufficient processing power for handling potentially large datasets and user load. |
| RAM | 64GB DDR4 ECC Registered | Ensures adequate memory for database operations and MediaWiki processes, minimizing performance bottlenecks. ECC memory helps prevent data corruption. |
| Storage | 2TB RAID 10 SSD | Offers fast read/write speeds and redundancy for data protection. RAID 10 provides both performance and fault tolerance. |
| Network Interface | Dual 1Gbps NIC with Link Aggregation | Provides network redundancy and increased bandwidth for data transfer. |
| Server Type | Dedicated Server | Avoids resource contention and security risks associated with shared hosting environments. |
Operating System Configuration
The operating system (OS) is a critical layer for security. We recommend a hardened Linux distribution, such as CentOS 7/8 or Ubuntu Server LTS.
| Setting | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall | Enabled (e.g., iptables, firewalld) | Restricts network access to only necessary ports (80, 443, 22 – with SSH access strictly controlled). See Firewall Management for details. |
| SSH Access | Key-based authentication only; disabled password authentication | Enhances security by eliminating weak password vulnerabilities. Regularly review SSH Logs. |
| User Accounts | Minimal administrative accounts; principle of least privilege | Reduces the attack surface by limiting access to sensitive system resources. See User Account Management. |
| System Updates | Automated security updates | Ensures the OS and installed software are patched against known vulnerabilities. Review Patch Management Policy. |
| Audit Logging | Enabled and configured for comprehensive logging | Provides a record of system events for security monitoring and incident response. See Audit Log Analysis. |
MediaWiki Specific Configuration
Configuring MediaWiki itself is paramount to protecting PHI.
| Setting | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `$wgSecretKey` | Strong, randomly generated string | Used for session management and cookie encryption. Crucial for preventing session hijacking. |
| `$wgHTTPS` | `true` | Forces all connections to use HTTPS, encrypting data in transit. Requires a valid SSL/TLS certificate. See SSL Certificate Installation. |
| `$wgUploadDirectory` | Secure directory with restricted access | Controls where uploaded files are stored. Permissions should be set to prevent unauthorized access. |
| `$wgUploadPath` | `/uploads` (example) | The URL path to uploaded files. |
| `$wgCookieSecure` | `true` | Ensures cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS connections. |
| `$wgSessionPublic` | `false` | Prevents session IDs from being exposed in URLs. |
| `$wgRateLimits` | Configured to prevent denial-of-service attacks | Limits the number of requests from a single IP address within a given timeframe. See Rate Limiting. |
Database Security
The database stores the core PHI within MediaWiki.
- **Encryption at Rest:** Consider encrypting the database storage volume.
- **Database User Permissions:** The MediaWiki database user should have the *minimum* required privileges. Avoid granting root or administrator access.
- **Database Firewall:** Implement a database firewall to protect against SQL injection attacks.
- **Regular Backups:** Implement a robust Database Backup and restoration strategy.
Secure Communication & Network Segregation
- **HTTPS:** As mentioned above, enforce HTTPS for all connections.
- **Network Segmentation:** Consider segregating the MediaWiki server onto a dedicated Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) to isolate it from other systems. This limits the impact of a potential breach.
- **Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS):** Implement an IDS/IPS to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Additional Considerations
- **Regular Security Audits:** Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities. See Security Audit Procedures.
- **Vulnerability Scanning:** Periodically scan the server for known vulnerabilities.
- **Incident Response Plan:** Develop and maintain a comprehensive Incident Response Plan for handling security incidents.
- **Data Retention Policy:** Define and enforce a data retention policy to ensure PHI is not stored longer than necessary. See Data Retention Guidelines.
- **Access Control Lists (ACLs):** Implement granular ACLs within MediaWiki to control access to sensitive pages and data. See Access Control.
Main Page Help:Contents Privacy Policy Terms of Use Security Best Practices Data Breach Notification Compliance Documentation System Monitoring Database Administration Network Configuration User Security Server Maintenance Firewall Configuration Log Rotation
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️