The Healthcare Research MCP Server takes security seriously, especially given its use in healthcare research contexts.

Please DO NOT file a public issue for security vulnerabilities. Instead:

1. Email: security@[your-domain].com
2. Use the subject line: "SECURITY: Healthcare Research MCP"
3. Include:
   • Description of the vulnerability
   • Steps to reproduce
   • Potential impact
   • Suggested fix (if any)

• Acknowledgment: Within 48 hours
• Initial Assessment: Within 1 week
• Resolution Timeline: Depends on severity
  • Critical: 1-2 weeks
  • High: 2-4 weeks
  • Medium: 4-8 weeks
  • Low: Next release

• This server is designed to work with de-identified data only
• Never input PHI (Protected Health Information) directly
• Use appropriate data governance for your institution

• Store API keys securely in environment variables
• Never commit API keys to version control
• Rotate keys regularly
• Use separate keys for development and production

• Databases should be encrypted at rest
• Use appropriate file permissions
• Regular backups recommended
• Consider using external databases for production

• Run behind a firewall in production
• Use HTTPS for any web interfaces
• Limit access to trusted networks
• Monitor for unusual activity

While this software includes HIPAA-compliant features (audit logging, access controls), achieving full HIPAA compliance requires:

• Proper deployment configuration
• Administrative safeguards
• Physical safeguards
• Signed BAAs with any cloud providers

This software alone does not guarantee HIPAA compliance.

We regularly update dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities. To check for vulnerabilities in your installation:

npm audit

To automatically fix vulnerabilities:

npm audit fix

1. Least Privilege: Grant minimum necessary permissions
2. Audit Logs: Enable and monitor audit logs
3. Updates: Keep the server and dependencies updated
4. Encryption: Use encryption for sensitive data
5. Access Control: Implement proper authentication
6. Monitoring: Set up alerts for suspicious activity

We appreciate responsible disclosure of security issues. Security researchers who report valid issues will be acknowledged (with permission) in our releases.