The HIPAA Security Rule is a set of regulations established to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). It applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that handle sensitive patient data. The rule outlines specific administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that these organizations must implement to secure ePHI from unauthorized access and breaches. Under the HIPAA Security Rule, covered entities must conduct risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement appropriate security measures. This includes ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to ePHI, using encryption for data transmission, and maintaining secure physical locations for data storage. Compliance with these standards helps protect patient privacy and maintain trust in the healthcare system.