Which of the following details must be included in a breach notification?

The inclusion of a description of the breach and the type of information affected is essential in a breach notification because it helps individuals understand the nature and scope of the incident. This description should outline what specific data was compromised—such as personal health information, demographic details, or financial data—enabling affected individuals to take the necessary steps to protect themselves from potential identity theft or other risks stemming from the breach.

Moreover, providing this information is not merely a best practice but is often required by law under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the HITECH Act. These regulations mandate that organizations detail the circumstances surrounding the breach, how it occurred, and what types of protected health information (PHI) were involved. This transparency is crucial for maintaining trust with patients and for ensuring that they can respond appropriately to mitigate any negative consequences.

The other options, while they may involve aspects of the breach, do not fulfill the legal requirements of a breach notification and do not provide the critical information that individuals need to understand and react to the breach effectively.