The primary purpose of the Security Rule is to establish minimum standards aimed at safeguarding protected health information (PHI) when it is stored or transmitted electronically. This regulation is part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and is designed to ensure that sensitive patient data remains confidential and secure from unauthorized access. By mandating specific administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, the Security Rule helps healthcare organizations protect electronic health records (EHRs) and other electronic data containing PHI.
The other options, while relevant to the healthcare industry, do not encapsulate the core objective of the Security Rule itself. While the increased use of electronic health records is a vital trend in healthcare, it is not the focus of this regulation. Clarifying roles in data management could relate to various aspects of healthcare compliance but does not directly address the intention to create security standards. Enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery is an important goal, yet it is not the main concern of the Security Rule, which specifically focuses on the protection of health information.