Which of the following is true of Protected Health Information (PHI) in cyber awareness?

Which of the following is true of Protected Health Information (PHI) in cyber awareness?

a) PHI only includes physical health records.

b) PHI is not subject to privacy regulations.

c) PHI includes personal health information that must be protected.

d) PHI is public information and does not require protection.

Answer. c) PHI includes personal health information that must be protected.

The terms ‘Protected Health Information (PHI)’ refers to data pertaining to the health status, health care delivery or payment information of a person that can be associated with the person’s identity. PHI is a broader term and include medical records, test results, treatment data and other billing relevant documents. Under directions like HIPAA, a public health institution, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the protection of individual’s sensitive health information is subject to strict privacy and security rules. Use of PHI by companies dealing with it is subject to the implementation of the specified set of measures to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As healthcare information is a valuable asset, failures may result in significant legal and financial consequences, thus making PHI a key component of cybersecurity’s awareness strategies and best practices.