What does the Security Rule aim to protect?

The Security Rule, part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), specifically aims to protect electronic health information. This includes measures that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). The rule establishes standards for how healthcare organizations and their business associates must manage and safeguard this sensitive data against unauthorized access, breaches, and other security risks.

Focusing on electronic health information is crucial, as this form of data is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats and requires specific safeguards that differ from those applicable to paper records. The intention is to create a secure environment for handling ePHI, ensuring that patient information remains private and is protected in digital formats.

While patients' rights to access records, paper health records, and overall healthcare practices are important aspects of healthcare compliance, they are not the primary focus of the Security Rule. Instead, this rule is dedicated to the electronic realm of health information, reinforcing the importance of security in today’s technology-driven healthcare landscape.