The HIPAA Security Rule: which statement is true?

The HIPAA Security Rule: which statement is true?

• A. Ensures compliance by the workforce
• B. Requires covered entities to use security measures to protect health information
• C. Anticipates threats to security and integrity of information, and protects against them
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

The Security Rule is about protecting electronic PHI through comprehensive safeguards and ongoing oversight of how the workforce handles information. It requires organizations to put administrative, physical, and technical safeguards in place, and to manage the security program through training and policies so the workforce complies. It also mandates risk analysis to identify threats and vulnerabilities and risk management to protect against them. Since each of these elements—workforce compliance, required security measures, and anticipation and protection against threats—are part of the Rule, the best answer is that all of the above are true.

The Security Rule is about protecting electronic PHI through comprehensive safeguards and ongoing oversight of how the workforce handles information. It requires organizations to put administrative, physical, and technical safeguards in place, and to manage the security program through training and policies so the workforce complies. It also mandates risk analysis to identify threats and vulnerabilities and risk management to protect against them. Since each of these elements—workforce compliance, required security measures, and anticipation and protection against threats—are part of the Rule, the best answer is that all of the above are true.