What is the main goal of the HIPAA Security Rule?

The main goal of the HIPAA Security Rule is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (e-PHI). This rule establishes a set of criteria that covered entities and their business associates must follow to ensure that sensitive patient data is handled securely and is protected from unauthorized access.

By focusing on e-PHI, the Security Rule emphasizes the importance of safeguarding information stored and transmitted electronically, which is critical given the reliance on digital methods in healthcare today. The rule encompasses various administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that organizations must implement. This includes ensuring that data is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals, maintaining its accuracy, and ensuring that it is accessible when needed by authorized personnel.

The other options do not align with the primary objective of the Security Rule. While the rule does have implications for access and penalties, its foundational purpose is to create a secure environment for handling patient information rather than to limit access or increase costs.