Western Governors University (WGU) HIM2104 C810 Foundations in Healthcare Data Management Practice Exam

Maintaining the integrity of patient data during disasters is critical, and data encryption both at rest and in transit plays a vital role in achieving this. Encryption protects sensitive information by converting it into a coded format, which can only be accessed by authorized users with the proper decryption keys. This ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals during a disaster—such as a natural calamity or cyberattack—the information remains secure and unreadable.

When data is encrypted at rest, it protects data stored on servers or databases, preventing unauthorized access even if the physical storage is compromised. Additionally, encryption in transit safeguards data being transmitted over networks, ensuring that it is shielded from interception or tampering.

Other choices, while important for overall data management and security, do not directly address the specific need for data integrity during disasters. Routine software updates are essential for keeping systems secure and running efficiently but do not inherently protect data during a disaster. Frequent system reboots can help maintain operational performance but do not contribute to data protection or integrity. Periodic staff training sessions are crucial for creating awareness and readiness in handling data securely, but the immediate concern during a disaster is ensuring the data itself remains safe from breaches. Thus, data encryption is the most critical