CAS-004 Governance, Risk, and Compliance Practice Question
A healthcare organization is implementing a new telehealth platform that stores electronic protected health information (ePHI). The security team must ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule. Which of the following is a required implementation specification for access control under the HIPAA Security Rule?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that all implementation specifications under the HIPAA Security Rule are mandatory, when some are addressable and allow flexibility.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unique user identification
The HIPAA Security Rule distinguishes between required and addressable implementation specifications. Unique user identification is explicitly required for access control, ensuring accountability and traceability. Addressable specifications like emergency access, automatic logoff, and encryption require a risk-based decision but are not mandatory in all cases.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Emergency access procedure
Why it's wrong here
Emergency access procedure is an addressable implementation specification under the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR §164.312(a)(2)(ii)). Organizations must assess whether it is reasonable and appropriate, and if not, document why and implement an equivalent alternative. Since it is addressable, not required, it does not meet the question's requirement for a required specification.
- ✗
Automatic logoff
Why it's wrong here
Automatic logoff is an addressable implementation specification (45 CFR §164.312(a)(2)(iii)). Covered entities must evaluate its applicability and either implement it or document why it is not reasonable and appropriate, and implement an equivalent control. Because it is addressable, it is not a required implementation specification, so it is incorrect for this scenario.
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Encryption and decryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption and decryption is an addressable implementation specification for access control (45 CFR §164.312(a)(2)(iv)). While it is a strong security measure, it is not required outright; organizations can choose not to implement it if they document why it is not reasonable and appropriate and implement an equivalent alternative. Thus, it does not satisfy the requirement for a required specification.
- ✓
Unique user identification
Why this is correct
Under the HIPAA Security Rule, unique user identification is a required implementation specification for access control (45 CFR §164.312(a)(2)(i)). It mandates that each user accessing ePHI be assigned a unique identifier to track activity and enforce accountability. This is not optional; it must be implemented to comply with the rule, making it the correct choice for this scenario.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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