In healthcare, patients trust organizations with some of their most personal information: names, medical conditions, insurance details, test results, and more. HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was signed into law in 1996 to help protect sensitive patient information and establish national standards for privacy and security. HIPAA applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and organizations that handle protected health information (PHI). One of its core goals is ensuring that patient information is only accessed, shared, or discussed when necessary and appropriate. Even small mistakes, like discussing a patient in a public area or leaving a computer unlocked, can create privacy and security risks.