What are examples of technical safeguards under the Security Rule?

Technical safeguards under the Security Rule are designed to protect electronicProtected Health Information (ePHI) by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and security through technology. Encryption is a key example, as it transforms data into a secure format that can only be read by authorized users who possess the decryption key. Access controls also fall under this category, as they regulate who can view or use ePHI, ensuring that only authorized individuals can gain access to sensitive information. These technical measures are essential for protecting data from unauthorized access and breaches.

In contrast, the other options—such as paper records, filing cabinets, in-person audits, assessments, and waiting room policies—relate more to physical and administrative safeguards rather than technical safeguards. While important in their own right, they do not utilize technology in the same way that encryption and access controls do, which are specifically outlined in the Security Rule as essential for the protection of electronic data.