Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Is e-PHI that is "at rest" required to be encrypted for security purposes?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only for sensitive information

4. Only during transmission

The correct answer is: No

The statement that e-PHI (electronic Protected Health Information) that is "at rest" is not required to be encrypted is accurate according to the HIPAA Security Rule. While encryption is a recommended safeguard for protecting e-PHI, the rule does not mandate encryption for data at rest outright. Instead, it requires covered entities to implement a range of security measures that are appropriate to their circumstances, including risk assessments. This flexibility allows organizations to evaluate their own risks and determine the most effective security measures. Encryption is indeed a highly effective method for protecting e-PHI, as it makes the data unreadable to unauthorized users; however, it is not a strict requirement for all types of e-PHI at rest. Organizations may choose alternative protective measures that meet the needs of their specific risk profile and regulatory obligations. The interpretation of the requirements for encryption is nuanced, which is why other options suggest conditions under which encryption might be applied, but the general mandate is that it is not explicitly required for e-PHI at rest.