The Security Rule primarily protects the security of what type of information?

The Security Rule is a critical component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that specifically focuses on safeguarding electronic protected health information (ePHI). This rule establishes standards for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic data, ensuring that appropriate physical, administrative, and technical safeguards are in place to protect health information that is stored, accessed, or transmitted electronically.

This emphasis on electronic information comes from the increasing reliance on digital records in healthcare environments, where patient data is often stored and exchanged through various electronic systems. While other forms of health information, such as paper documents and physical files, are also important to protect, they fall under different regulatory frameworks or other aspects of HIPAA, particularly the Privacy Rule. Therefore, the Security Rule specifically addresses and mandates protections for ePHI, making it essential for organizations handling this type of information to implement stringent security measures to prevent unauthorized access, breaches, and other risks associated with electronic data.