What is the main difference between HIPAA Privacy and Security?

The correct answer highlights the main distinction between HIPAA Privacy and Security: Privacy encompasses all forms of Protected Health Information (PHI), including both electronic and non-electronic formats, while Security is specifically focused on protecting electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information, ensuring that individuals have certain rights over their health information, regardless of the format in which it exists. This includes physical records, oral communications, and electronic data.

On the other hand, the HIPAA Security Rule sets specific security standards to safeguard ePHI, which encompasses any form of PHI that is stored, received, maintained, or transmitted in electronic media. Therefore, while the Privacy Rule covers a broader scope of information, the Security Rule zeroes in on specific safeguards needed for electronic data.

Understanding this distinction is essential for compliance professionals who must ensure that both the privacy of individuals’ health information is maintained while also implementing the necessary security measures for electronic data to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.