What does the Security Rule under HIPAA address?

The Security Rule under HIPAA specifically focuses on the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI). It establishes a set of national standards to safeguard sensitive patient data that is created, received, maintained, or transmitted electronically. This includes requirements for administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.

The Security Rule emphasizes three key areas: confidentiality (to protect ePHI from unauthorized access), integrity (to ensure that ePHI is not altered or destroyed in an unauthorized manner), and availability (to ensure that authorized users can access ePHI when needed). By implementing these safeguards, healthcare entities can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure compliance with the regulations set forth by HIPAA, thereby enhancing patient trust and safety in handling their health information.