Which regulation is primarily responsible for the security and confidentiality of electronic PHI?

The HIPAA Security Rule is specifically designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (PHI). It establishes standards that healthcare providers, health plans, and business associates must follow to protect electronic PHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This regulation requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to secure electronic PHI.

For instance, the Security Rule mandates that organizations assess their security risks, adopt appropriate safeguards to mitigate these risks, and ensure that any personnel who handle electronic PHI are trained and aware of their responsibilities regarding data protection. This targeted approach to protecting electronic health information differentiates the Security Rule from other relevant regulations, which might focus on broader privacy concerns or different aspects of healthcare operations.