Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following items is a technical safeguard of the Security Rule?

1. Entity authentication

2. Incident response plan

3. Security risk analysis

4. Data backup procedures

The correct answer is: Entity authentication

Entity authentication is classified as a technical safeguard under the Security Rule of HIPAA. It refers to mechanisms that verify the identity of users, devices, or systems that access electronic protected health information (ePHI). This process is essential for ensuring that only authorized individuals can gain access to sensitive data, helping to maintain confidentiality and integrity. In the context of the Security Rule, technical safeguards are focused on the technology and the policy and procedures related to its use to protect electronic health information. Entity authentication is critical because it establishes a secure foundation for further safeguards and controls. While the other choices have their significance, they fall under different categories. An incident response plan is a management safeguard, focusing on how an organization responds to and manages a security breach. Security risk analysis is a broader requirement under the Security Rule that helps organizations identify vulnerabilities but is not a technical safeguard itself. Data backup procedures ensure that information is secure and retrievable but also fall under operational policies rather than being classified strictly as technical safeguards.