What does the "Security Rule" protect?

The "Security Rule" specifically protects Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), which encompasses any individually identifiable health information that is created, received, maintained, or transmitted in electronic form. This rule was established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect sensitive patient data against unauthorized access, theft, or breaches.

By focusing on ePHI, the Security Rule obligates covered entities and their business associates to implement various safeguards—administrative, physical, and technical—to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic health information. This mandate is critical, given the increasing prevalence of digital health records and the potential risks posed by cyber threats.

In contrast, while physical health records and insurance claims data are important components of patient information, they fall outside the specific purview of the Security Rule regarding electronic data. Verbal communications, although important for patient privacy and data protection, are not covered under the Security Rule, which focuses solely on electronic formats of health information. Thus, option B clearly captures the essence of what the Security Rule is designed to protect.