Body
Purpose
The HIPAA Network Pattern defines the approved implementation model for network architecture, connectivity, segmentation, and traffic management for HIPAA workloads hosted in University-managed Azure environments.
This pattern provides a consistent networking architecture that supports workload isolation, secure connectivity, operational support, and approved communications between HIPAA resources, enterprise services, and external systems while protecting Protected Health Information (PHI).
Use Cases
This pattern applies when:
- Deploying HIPAA applications
- Deploying HIPAA databases
- Deploying HIPAA data services
- Deploying HIPAA landing zones
- Deploying HIPAA integrations
- Connecting HIPAA workloads to approved enterprise services
This pattern does not apply to:
- Non-regulated workloads
- Sandbox environments
- Development environments without PHI
- General-purpose Azure subscriptions
Design Principles
Workload Isolation
HIPAA workloads must be deployed within dedicated HIPAA subscriptions and approved network boundaries.
Least Connectivity
Network connectivity should be limited to approved and necessary communication paths.
Private Communication
Private communication paths should be used whenever supported and practical.
Controlled Ingress
Inbound access to HIPAA workloads should be explicitly governed, managed, and monitored.
Controlled Egress
Outbound communications should follow approved enterprise networking policies and approved connectivity paths.
Shared Service Integration
HIPAA workloads may communicate with approved enterprise services through approved network architecture patterns.
Logical Architecture
HIPAA Subscription
↓
HIPAA Virtual Network
↓
Applications
Databases
Services
Integrations
↓
Approved Connectivity
Identity Services
Monitoring Services
Enterprise Services
External Services
Network Architecture Components
Virtual Networks
HIPAA workloads should be deployed within approved HIPAA virtual network architectures.
Virtual networks provide:
- Workload segmentation
- Traffic management
- Security boundaries
- Connectivity control
Subnets
Subnets should be used to separate workloads and services according to approved architecture requirements.
Subnet architectures should support:
- Application separation
- Service separation
- Operational management
- Network security controls
Private Connectivity
Private connectivity mechanisms should be used when supported by the target service.
Private connectivity supports:
- Service isolation
- Reduced exposure
- Improved security posture
Traffic Flows
Application-to-Application
Application communication should occur only across approved communication paths.
Application-to-Data
Applications should communicate directly with approved data services through approved network paths.
Platform-to-Workload
Identity, monitoring, management, and platform services may communicate with HIPAA workloads through approved architecture patterns.
Integration Connectivity
Connectivity to enterprise systems, partner systems, and approved external services must use approved integration paths.
Network Boundaries
HIPAA Boundary
HIPAA workloads operate within approved HIPAA subscriptions and approved network architectures.
Enterprise Boundary
Approved enterprise services may support HIPAA workloads without being deployed within the HIPAA workload boundary.
External Boundary
External connectivity must follow approved connectivity paths and security controls.
Shared Service Connectivity
HIPAA workloads may communicate with approved shared enterprise services.
Examples may include:
- Identity services
- Monitoring services
- Management services
- Platform services
- Automation services
Shared service communication paths must follow approved architecture standards.
Data Flow Considerations
Data movement between services should occur through approved communication paths.
Network architecture should support:
- Data protection
- Auditability
- Operational visibility
- Security monitoring
Monitoring Integration
Network architectures should integrate with approved monitoring services.
Network monitoring should support:
- Traffic visibility
- Operational troubleshooting
- Security investigations
- Audit activities
Identity Integration
Network architectures should support approved identity services and the HIPAA Identity Pattern.
Identity-related communications should use approved connectivity paths and security controls.
Operational Responsibilities
Platform Team
- Landing zone networking architecture
- Cloud platform networking
- Platform connectivity services
Network Engineering
- Enterprise network architecture
- Connectivity standards
- Network service design
Security Team
- Network security requirements
- Security reviews
- Connectivity reviews
Workload Owner
- Application connectivity requirements
- Business integration requirements
- Application deployment support
Automation Pattern
Network architecture should be deployed through approved landing zone automation.
Automation should provision:
- Virtual networks
- Network segmentation
- Connectivity configuration
- Monitoring integration
- Platform networking components
Automation should be delivered through approved platform automation.
Reference Architecture Outcomes
A workload implementing this pattern should provide:
- Workload isolation
- Approved connectivity paths
- Network segmentation
- Shared service integration
- Operational supportability
- Security visibility
- Consistent networking implementation
- Alignment with approved HIPAA hosting architecture