Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What do audit trails of computer systems include?

1. Type of equipment used

2. Who logged in, what was done, when it was done, and what equipment was accessed

3. User feedback

4. Cloud storage details

The correct answer is: Who logged in, what was done, when it was done, and what equipment was accessed

Audit trails of computer systems play a crucial role in maintaining security, compliance, and accountability, particularly within the healthcare industry under HIPAA regulations. The correct answer encompasses comprehensive details that are essential for tracking user activity. Specifically, it provides information about who accessed the system, the specific actions they undertook, the timestamps of these actions, and the particular equipment or resources that were involved. This level of detail is especially important for identifying unauthorized access, ensuring that users are held accountable for their actions, and facilitating audits or investigations when necessary. Understanding these components helps organizations maintain the integrity of their systems and protect sensitive patient information, in line with regulatory requirements. Other options, while relevant in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the necessary components of what constitutes a complete audit trail. For instance, simply knowing the type of equipment used does not convey actionable or relevant information about user interactions or system security. User feedback and details about cloud storage do not directly serve the primary functions of audit trails, which are focused on tracking and documenting user activity for security and compliance purposes.