Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) Practice Test

The option indicating that physical theft of data is responsible for the most privacy violations of HIPAA is grounded in the reality of how sensitive healthcare information is often compromised. Physical theft can occur via various means, such as stolen laptops, unencrypted devices, or even paper records that are not securely stored. When such theft happens, unauthorized individuals can easily access confidential health information, leading to significant breaches of patient privacy. This scenario highlights the importance of safeguarding physical devices and records that contain protected health information (PHI). Organizations must implement robust security measures, such as locking devices, restricting access to sensitive areas, and training employees on the importance of secure handling of data. The risk posed by physical theft underscores the need for vigilance in both digital and physical data management practices to comply with HIPAA regulations and protect patient privacy effectively.