What is the main responsibility of a Security Officer under HIPAA?

The primary responsibility of a Security Officer under HIPAA revolves around managing security measures specifically for protecting electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). This role is crucial to ensure that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI are maintained. The Security Officer is tasked with implementing the required administrative, physical, and technical safeguards outlined in the HIPAA Security Rule, making sure that the organization's practices align with compliance requirements.

While overseeing compliance with the Privacy Rule is important, that is typically the function of a Privacy Officer rather than the Security Officer. Creating individual patient records is part of healthcare operations and does not fall under the specific purview of the Security Officer. Conducting privacy training may also be part of their responsibilities, but it primarily pertains to the broader aspects of patient privacy, which again leans more towards the Privacy Officer’s duties. Therefore, the focus on managing security measures for ePHI distinctly defines the role of the Security Officer within the framework of HIPAA compliance.