The HIPAA Security Rule requires organizations, at a minimum, to conduct periodic internal audits to evaluate processes and procedures intended to secure confidential or "protected health information" (PHI) (45 CFR 164.308(a)(8)). It is often advisable to seek an external review or audit but the provisions of the security rule do not specifically require this. In most cases, this will be determined by the size of the organization, line of business, and, sometimes, contract requirements (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, etc.). The purpose behind the audit is to determine if an organization has properly documented administrative, physical and technical security practices, policies, and procedures and generally meets the requirements of the rule.