What is a technical safeguard?

A technical safeguard is defined as the technology and related policies and procedures that protect electronic protected health information (ePHI) and control access to it. The emphasis is on the technological aspects that help ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.

Implementing measures such as encryption and access controls fits perfectly within this definition. Encryption secures ePHI by making it unreadable to unauthorized users, while access controls ensure that only authorized personnel can access this sensitive information. These technical measures are vital in preventing data breaches and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations concerning the management of protected health information.

The other options pertain to physical or administrative safeguards rather than technical safeguards. Using secure locks on office doors and creating access schedules for physical spaces focus on the physical security of environments where ePHI is handled. Additionally, conducting background checks for employees involves workforce management and hiring practices, categorized under administrative safeguards. Each of these plays an important role in an overall compliance strategy but does not fall under the definition of technical safeguards.