What type of information does the HIPAA Security Rule focus on protecting?

The HIPAA Security Rule specifically targets the safeguarding of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This includes any health data that is created, received, maintained, or transmitted in electronic form, making it essential for entities covered under HIPAA to implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect this type of information.

The focus on electronic data is crucial because the rise of technology has increased the vulnerabilities associated with how sensitive health information is stored and communicated. By ensuring ePHI is adequately protected, the Security Rule helps to minimize the risk of breaches, unauthorized access, and other potential threats that could compromise patient privacy and security.

In contrast, while physical, verbal, and printed health information are also important to protect under other HIPAA regulations, they are not the primary concern of the Security Rule, which is specifically designed to address the unique challenges of electronic data.