Which act focuses on the use of encryption in healthcare data?

• A. Policy
• B. SSL/TLS
• C. 3-D
• D. HITECH

Answer: (D)

Encryption of health records is addressed by the HITECH Act. This law was created to expand HIPAA’s privacy and security protections and to promote the widespread adoption of electronic health records. It strengthens safeguards for electronic protected health information (ePHI) and introduces breach notification requirements. Importantly, HITECH encourages using encryption as a strong security measure; when ePHI is properly encrypted, breaches are less likely to require notification and can reduce risk, aligning policy with practical protection. Other options don’t fit because one is a general policy concept, another is a protocol used to protect data in transit, and the last is unrelated to healthcare legislation.