The HIPAA Security Rule is designed to support the _____ of electronic protected health information.

The HIPAA Security Rule focuses on ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Confidentiality involves protecting information from unauthorized access and ensuring that only those who are permitted to view or use the data can do so. This is crucial in healthcare settings where patient privacy is a primary concern.

Integrity refers to maintaining the accuracy and completeness of ePHI. This means preventing unauthorized alterations or destruction of the information, ensuring that all health records are reliable and trustworthy for both healthcare providers and patients.

Availability ensures that ePHI is accessible to authorized personnel when needed, enabling healthcare providers to deliver timely and effective care to patients. This includes implementing safeguards against data loss or system downtimes that could prevent access to critical health information.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the focus of the HIPAA Security Rule. They either mix up the components involved or introduce concepts that are not the primary aims of the Security Rule, making them incorrect choices.