Which method is NOT used for rendering PHI unusable?

The correct answer focuses on the concept of how to render Protected Health Information (PHI) unusable, which is a key component in safeguarding patient data and complying with regulations such as HIPAA.

Encryption is a crucial method for securing PHI, as it transforms data into a secure format that is unreadable without the appropriate encryption key. This means that even if the data is intercepted or accessed without authorization, it cannot be utilized without the key, thereby rendering it unusable to anyone without proper access.

Destruction refers to physically or digitally disposing of data in such a way that it cannot be reconstructed or retrieved. This is a direct method of ensuring that information cannot be accessed or misused, aligning perfectly with the objective to make PHI unusable.

In contrast, storing PHI in secured servers does not achieve the goal of rendering the information unusable. While secured servers may protect against unauthorized access, they do not eliminate the possibility of accessing the information. If a secure server is breached, the data remains intact and usable, thus failing to meet the criteria for making the PHI unusable.

The answer 'None of the above' would imply that all listed methods could be considered valid for rendering PHI unusable, which is not accurate.