What does the HIPAA Security Rule establish?

The HIPAA Security Rule is a vital component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that specifically focuses on protecting electronic health information. It establishes minimum safeguards that covered entities—such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses—must implement to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

These safeguards include administrative safeguards, physical safeguards, and technical safeguards. For example, administrative measures may involve security management processes and workforce training, while physical safeguards might include controlling access to facilities and securing electronic systems. Technical safeguards consist of controlling access to data through passwords and encryption.

By setting these standards, the Security Rule helps to prevent unauthorized access and breaches, thereby maintaining the trust that patients place in the healthcare system. This rule is central to ensuring that healthcare organizations can effectively protect sensitive patient data in an increasingly digital environment.

The other options do not align with the focus of the HIPAA Security Rule; they pertain to different aspects of healthcare not related to information security.