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Patient Data Encryption

Meaning

Patient Data Encryption is a technical security process that transforms sensitive Protected Health Information into an unreadable, encoded format, making it unintelligible to any unauthorized party who may intercept or access the data. This method employs complex algorithms and cryptographic keys to scramble the information, thereby rendering it useless without the corresponding decryption key. Encryption is a mandatory safeguard under major health data regulations, serving as the most effective technical control to ensure data confidentiality and integrity. It protects data both when it is stored, known as at rest, and when it is being transmitted, known as in transit, making it a foundational pillar of modern digital health security.