Which of the following is NOT a safeguard outlined in the security rule?

The correct choice is financial, as it is not categorized as a safeguard under the security rule. The security rule, which is part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), outlines specific safeguards that must be implemented to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). These safeguards are arranged into three primary categories: administrative, technical, and physical.

Administrative safeguards include policies and procedures designed to manage the selection, development, implementation, and maintenance of security measures to protect ePHI. Technical safeguards involve the technology and the policies and procedures for its use that protect ePHI and control access to it. Physical safeguards include the physical measures, policies, and procedures to protect electronic systems and related buildings and equipment from natural and environmental hazards, as well as unauthorized intrusion.

In contrast, financial safeguards do not fall under these specific categories set forth by the security rule and therefore do not contribute directly to the protections required for ePHI. Understanding these categories is crucial for healthcare organizations to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and to effectively protect sensitive patient information.