What is the primary purpose of technical safeguards?

The primary purpose of technical safeguards is to protect and control access to electronic protected health information (ePHI). Technical safeguards are critical components outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that establish the technological measures used to secure ePHI from unauthorized access. These safeguards include methods such as encryption, access control, and audit controls that ensure only authorized users can access specific types of health information.

By implementing technical safeguards, healthcare entities can minimize risks associated with data breaches and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI. It is essential to understand that while protecting physical access and creating policies are important in the overall security framework, they fall under different categories, such as physical safeguards and administrative safeguards, respectively. Therefore, the focus of technical safeguards is solely on the technological aspects of protecting electronic health information.