What methods can be utilized to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI)?

The selection of encryption, access controls, audit controls, and secure backups as methods to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI) is appropriate because these measures are aligned with the best practices for protecting sensitive data.

Encryption is vital because it transforms information into a secure format that can only be read by those who possess the decryption key, thereby protecting ePHI during transmission and storage. Access controls allow healthcare facilities to restrict access to ePHI only to authorized personnel, ensuring that only individuals who need the information for legitimate purposes can view or use it.

Audit controls involve tracking and monitoring access to ePHI, which helps detect unauthorized access or data breaches. These logs are essential for compliance with regulations and for conducting reviews and audits of data access. Secure backups are critical for ensuring that ePHI can be restored in case of data loss due to accidental deletion or cyberattacks, thus safeguarding patient information against potential threats.

In contrast, the other choices do not fully align with the comprehensive protection required for ePHI. Secure passwords and employee trust are helpful but insufficient when taken alone. Firewalls provide an essential layer of security but cannot guarantee the protection of ePHI without additional safeguards like encryption. Finally, public disclosures, unrestricted access,