Which security framework is primarily focused on managing and securing electronic health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the correct choice because it specifically addresses the protection and confidentiality of health information. Established in 1996, HIPAA includes provisions that require the safeguarding of medical records and other personal health information. It sets standards for electronic healthcare transactions and mandates a set of privacy and security rules to ensure that individuals' health information is protected from unauthorized access.

The focus of HIPAA is on ensuring that healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates handle sensitive patient data securely, thereby helping to prevent data breaches and ensuring that patient rights concerning their health information are protected. Its emphasis on the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of electronic health information aligns perfectly with the intention of managing and securing such data.

While the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) expands some of HIPAA's provisions, it essentially builds upon the foundation laid by HIPAA rather than being a standalone framework solely focused on health information security. The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is more concerned with securing government information systems, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides guidelines and frameworks but is not specifically tailored to health information.

Thus, HIPAA is recognized as the principal legislation