Final answer:
The Department of Health and Human Services published the final Security Rule, effective December 28, 2015, to enhance the protection of personal health information, build upon earlier standards, and provide guidelines for implementation and compliance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the final Security Rule as part of ongoing efforts to update and enhance healthcare regulations in the United States. This rule became effective on December 28, 2015, after being signed into law on October 1, 2015. It aims to provide continued protection of personal health information and improve upon previous standards from 2008, some of which remain in effect in certain areas.
The process of revocation of the earlier standards and transitioning to the 2015 standards is addressed in an implementation rule. Additionally, relevant departments, such as the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services--Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, may provide guidance on the implementation and compliance with these updated regulations.