200-201 Question 393
Select 3You are a cybersecurity analyst working for a healthcare organization. During a routine investigation, you discover that an unauthorized user accessed a database containing sensitive patient information, including names, medical records, and insurance details. What should be your next steps to comply with regulations related to Protected Health Information (PHI)?
- A
Notify the affected individuals and report the incident to the appropriate regulatory authority.
- B
Immediately isolate the compromised system and conduct a forensic analysis.
- C
Delete all affected data to prevent further unauthorized access.
- D
Determine whether the breach qualifies as a reportable incident under HIPAA guidelines.
- E
Ignore the incident if no financial data was accessed.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, B, D
Explanation
Handling breaches involving PHI requires prompt action to mitigate risks, comply with regulations, and notify affected parties. HIPAA outlines specific requirements for responding to breaches, including investigation, notification, and reporting to regulatory authorities. Ignoring the incident or deleting data would result in non-compliance and potential legal consequences.
- A. Correct.
Correct. HIPAA mandates that affected individuals and appropriate regulatory bodies must be notified when there is a breach of PHI.
- B. Correct.
Correct. Isolating the compromised system and performing forensic analysis are critical steps to identify the root cause and prevent further damage.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Deleting affected data is not a compliant or responsible action as it would hinder further investigation and violate data retention policies.
- D. Correct.
Correct. Assessing whether the incident qualifies as a reportable breach under HIPAA is a necessary step in determining regulatory obligations.
- E. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Ignoring the incident is a violation of HIPAA, even if financial data was not accessed. PHI encompasses more than financial data.