What does the Security Rule protect specifically?

The Security Rule specifically protects electronic protected health information (ePHI). This regulation is a key component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and sets standards for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI. The Security Rule focuses on safeguarding electronic records and data, which includes any health information that is stored or transmitted in electronic form. This is critical given the increasing reliance on digital formats in healthcare and the potential risks related to data breaches and unauthorized access.

While patient access to records is an important aspect of HIPAA, it is more directly covered under the Privacy Rule rather than the Security Rule. The protection of all medical records regardless of format encompasses a broader scope than what the Security Rule addresses, as it includes both electronic and paper records, while the Security Rule is specifically tailored for electronic information. Likewise, the protection of healthcare employee data can fall under various laws and regulations but is not specifically covered by the Security Rule. Therefore, the focus on ePHI makes the choice related to electronic protected health information the correct one.