(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What type of information does Protected Health Information (PHI) encompass?

1. Financial and educational records

2. General demographic data

3. Health status and healthcare details

4. Employment histories and references

The correct answer is: Health status and healthcare details

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers specifically to any information that relates to an individual's health status, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare that can be used to identify that individual. This encompasses a wide range of sensitive data including not only a person's medical history, diagnoses, treatment records, and medications but also any identifiable information related to an individual's health and healthcare interactions. The focus of PHI is on the safeguarding of health-related data to ensure individual privacy and compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Therefore, the inclusion of health status and specific healthcare details as part of PHI is crucial for maintaining the confidentiality and security of personal health information. While other categories of information, like financial, educational records, general demographic data, and employment histories, can be sensitive and important in their own contexts, they do not fall under the designated scope of PHI. This is why the correct response highlights the emphasis on health status and healthcare details, aligning with the definition and protections outlined for PHI.