Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following options reflects a best practice for e-PHI security?

1. Using default passwords

2. Implementing role-based access controls

3. Sharing passwords among staff

4. Allowing unrestricted external access

The correct answer is: Implementing role-based access controls

Implementing role-based access controls is a fundamental best practice for securing electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI). This approach ensures that individuals only have access to the information necessary to perform their job functions. By assigning specific access levels based on roles within an organization, the system minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data. This tailored access prevents potential breaches and helps maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations, which emphasize the protection and confidentiality of health information. In contrast, using default passwords poses a significant security risk, as these are commonly known and can be easily exploited by unauthorized individuals. Sharing passwords among staff undermines accountability and makes it difficult to trace who accessed sensitive information, which can lead to compliance violations. Allowing unrestricted external access can expose e-PHI to cybersecurity threats and breaches, making it imperative to restrict such access to maintain security and confidentiality. Therefore, role-based access controls represent a proactive, structured method of safeguarding e-PHI in compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements.