### Question
What does unsecured protected health information mean?


### Answer
**Unsecured protected health information** has the following meaning in *42 U.S.C. § 17932*:

> protected health information that is not secured by a technology standard that renders protected health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals and is developed or endorsed by a standards developing organization that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 17932*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 156-HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY > SUBCHAPTER III-PRIVACY > Part A-Improved Privacy Provisions and Security Provisions**

