Which aspect of PHI does the HIPAA Security Rule specifically address?

The HIPAA Security Rule specifically addresses Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) because it is focused on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health information that is stored, accessed, or transmitted electronically.

This rule outlines various safeguards that must be implemented to secure ePHI against risks such as unauthorized access, breaches, and data loss. These safeguards include administrative, physical, and technical measures, which are specifically designed to mitigate risks unique to electronic environments.

While all health information is protected under HIPAA, the Security Rule explicitly emphasizes ePHI due to its vulnerability in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape. This distinction is crucial because it shapes the regulatory requirements that healthcare institutions must follow to protect this type of sensitive information effectively.