What is covered under the security rule?

The security rule specifically addresses the guidelines for protecting protected health information (PHI) in electronic form. This encompasses a range of safeguards that healthcare entities must implement to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI. The emphasis is on administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that organizations must maintain to protect sensitive patient information from unauthorized access or breaches.

The focus on electronic PHI is crucial, as the security rule is part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which were designed to protect patient information in an increasingly digital landscape. Organizations must develop clear policies and procedures that align with these guidelines, ensuring that electronic records are secured against threats such as data breaches or cyberattacks, which are critical concerns in today's technology-driven healthcare environment.

Other options, while they may relate to the broader context of healthcare privacy and data security, do not specifically align with the core objectives of the security rule. For instance, protocols for securing physical records would generally fall under different regulations or standards rather than the specific electronic focus of the security rule. Similarly, governance of patient data sharing and procedures for manual data entry address different aspects of data handling and privacy that are not the primary concern of the security rule.