What term describes the unauthorized acquisition or use of Protected Health Information (PHI) that compromises data security?

The term that identifies the unauthorized acquisition or use of Protected Health Information (PHI) that compromises data security is "Breach." A breach occurs when there is a security incident resulting in the unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, sensitive information, such as PHI. This term encompasses incidents where the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of the information is jeopardized.

Understanding this definition is crucial because breaches can lead to significant consequences, including legal ramifications and loss of trust from patients. It highlights the importance of implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive health information. In comparison, access control refers to measures implemented to restrict who can view or use resources in a computing environment, while violation merely implies that something has been broken but does not clearly define the extent of the security compromise. Exposure suggests that sensitive information is visible or accessible but does not capture the dimension of unauthorized acquisition or use that defines a breach.