Question 1

Risk management for the HIPAA Security Officer is a "one-time" task.

Accepted Answer

Risk management is an ongoing process that requires continuous assessment, monitoring, and updating to address new threats, vulnerabilities, and changes in the organization's information systems and environment.

Question 2

One good requirement to ensure secure access control is to install automatic logoff at each workstation.

Accepted Answer

Automatic logoff helps ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot access sensitive information if a workstation is left unattended, thereby enhancing the security of access control.

Question 3

If a business visitor is also a Business Associate, that individual does not need to be escorted in the building to ensure protection of PHI.

Accepted Answer

A Business Associate, despite their role, must still adhere to the organization's policies and procedures regarding the protection of Protected Health Information (PHI), which may include being escorted in the building to ensure they do not access or see PHI inappropriately.

Question 4

The Security Rule requires that all paper files of medical records be copied and kept securely locked up.

Accepted Answer

The Security Rule specifically applies to Electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI), not paper records. The Privacy Rule covers the protection of all forms of Protected Health Information (PHI), including paper records, but does not mandate copying and locking up paper files.

Question 5

Only a serious security incident is to be documented and measures taken to limit further disclosure.

Accepted Answer

All security incidents, regardless of their perceived severity, should be documented and appropriate measures taken to limit further disclosure and mitigate any potential impact. This ensures a comprehensive security posture and aids in preventing future incidents.

Question 6

Requirements that are identified as "addressable" under the Security Rule may be omitted by the Security Officer.

Accepted Answer

Addressable requirements in the Security Rule are not optional; they require the covered entity to assess whether the specified safeguard is reasonable and appropriate in their environment. If it is, they must implement it. If not, they must document why and implement an equivalent alternative if reasonable and appropriate.

Question 7

"At home" workers such as transcriptionists are not required to follow the workstation security rules for passwords, viewing of monitors by others, or locking of computer screens.

Accepted Answer

"At home" workers, including transcriptionists, are still required to follow workstation security rules to protect sensitive information, which includes adhering to password policies, preventing unauthorized viewing of monitors, and locking computer screens when not in use.

Question 8

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
-Keeping e-PHI secure includes which of the following?
A)The HIPAA Security Officer places limits on what information is viewed by Business Associates determined by their job description.
B)Policies and procedures are written to protect against unlawful access by administration.
C)Changing the passwords for computer access every 30 days.
D)Safeguards are in place to protect e-PHI against unauthorized access or loss.

Accepted Answer

Safeguards are essential to protect electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI) from unauthorized access or loss, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Question 9

Closed circuit cameras are mandated by HIPAA Security Rule.

Accepted Answer

The HIPAA Security Rule does not specifically mandate the use of closed circuit cameras; it requires appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of electronic protected health information.

Question 10

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
-Which are the five areas the DHHS has mandated each covered entity to address so that e-PHI is maintained securely?
A)Organization requirements; policies, procedures, and documentation; technical safeguards; administrative safeguards; and physical safeguards
B)Unique identifiers; administrative safeguards; technical safeguards; physical safeguards; and electronic signatures
C)Administrative safeguards; physical safeguards; policies, procedures, and documentation; a HIPAA Security Officer in charge; and a complex computer data backup system
D)Policies, procedures, and documentation; organization requirements; protected wireless access; secure firewalls; and virus protection

Accepted Answer

The DHHS mandates that each covered entity address five areas to ensure the secure maintenance of e-PHI: organization requirements; policies, procedures, and documentation; technical safeguards; administrative safeguards; and physical safeguards. These areas encompass a comprehensive approach to protecting electronic protected health information.

Question 11

Security and privacy of protected health information really cover the same issues.

Accepted Answer

Security and privacy of protected health information are related but distinct concepts. Privacy refers to the rights and controls individuals have over their personal information, while security refers to the measures and mechanisms in place to protect that information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

Question 12

Compliance to the Security Rule is solely the responsibility of the Security Officer.

Accepted Answer

Compliance to the Security Rule involves the entire organization, not just the Security Officer. It requires a collaborative effort from all members of the organization to implement and maintain the necessary security measures.

Question 13

To protect e-PHI that is sent through the Internet, a covered entity must use encryption technology to minimize the risks.E-PHI that is "at rest" must also be encrypted to maintain security.

Accepted Answer

Encryption is a recommended best practice for e-PHI at rest, but it is not explicitly required by HIPAA. However, e-PHI transmitted over the internet must be encrypted to comply with HIPAA's Security Rule.

Question 14

The Office of HIPAA Standards seeks voluntary compliance to the Security Rule.

Accepted Answer

The Office of HIPAA Standards encourages voluntary compliance with the Security Rule to ensure the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Question 15

Security of e-PHI has to do with keeping the data secure from a breach in the information system's security protocols.

Accepted Answer

Security of Electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI) involves implementing measures and protocols to protect the data from unauthorized access, breaches, or leaks, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Question 16

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
-HIPAA Security Rule applies to data contained in
A)unrecorded video teleconferencing.
B)any computer storage media.
C)voicemail messages.
D)paper-to-paper faxes.

Accepted Answer

The HIPAA Security Rule specifically applies to electronic protected health information (ePHI), which includes data on computer storage media but does not apply to unrecorded video teleconferencing, voicemail messages, or paper-to-paper faxes as these are not in electronic form or are not considered ePHI in the context of the Security Rule.

Question 17

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
-Access privilege to protected health information is
A)having the ability to enter a facility where paper medical records are kept.
B)what allows an individual to enter a computer system for an authorized purpose.
C)finding a password to gain access to medical information.
D)permitted only to the HIPAA Officer and the computer technicians.

Accepted Answer

Access privilege to protected health information, especially in the context of electronic health records, refers to the authorization that allows individuals to access specific data within a computer system for legitimate purposes, such as providing patient care or conducting authorized administrative tasks.

Question 18

The Office of HIPAA Standards may not initiate an investigation without receiving a formal complaint.

Accepted Answer

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which enforces HIPAA, can initiate an investigation based on information indicating noncompliance with HIPAA rules, even without a formal complaint.

Question 19

Only monetary fines may be levied for violation under the HIPAA Security Rule.

Accepted Answer

The HIPAA Security Rule allows for a range of penalties, not just monetary fines, including criminal charges and civil action lawsuits, depending on the severity and nature of the violation.

Question 20

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have information on their Web site to help a HIPAA Security Officer know the required and addressable areas of securing e-PHI.

Accepted Answer

CMS provides guidance and resources on their website to help HIPAA Security Officers understand both the required and addressable specifications for securing electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI) as part of HIPAA compliance.

Quiz 4: Security Ruling Explained