What is defined as Unsecured PHI?

Unsecured PHI is defined as protected health information that has not been rendered unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals. This means that if PHI is not adequately protected through encryption or other security measures, it remains vulnerable to exposure or misuse.

Options describing PHI stored on a secure server and PHI that is encrypted focus on data that is adequately protected and therefore would not be considered unsecured. The mention of PHI known to the public via social media suggests that it is already disclosed; while this could constitute a breach of confidentiality, it does not specifically pertain to the concept of "unsecured" information. Therefore, identifying unsecured PHI hinges on the absence of effective protective measures, making the definition centered on its lack of security the most accurate.