In an age where data breaches are becoming increasingly common, protecting personal health information (PHI) has never been more critical. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there were over 700 major health data breaches in 2020 alone, affecting more than 40 million individuals. These breaches not only compromise personal information but can also erode trust in healthcare providers. Understanding the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule is essential for ensuring compliance and maintaining patient trust. What Constitutes a Breach? A breach is defined as the acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of PHI in a manner not permitted by HIPAA, [...]