Cybersecurity

The digital security of healthcare institutions and data is a growing concern, with an increasing number of cyberattacks each year against healthcare systems, which are seen as easy targets. Cyber attacks often use ransomware to target personal health information, patient data and medical devices to cut off access to the data until a ransom is payed to the hacker. Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, using malware, ransomware and spyware to attack outdated and vulnerable systems and software. Due to the interconnected nature of hospital IT systems today, the weakest link can be older web-enabled medical devices, including clinical and non-clinical systems. Employees are also a major target of attacks via malicious e-mails that prompt them to open attachments that then download malware onto the hospital's IT system.

55% of healthcare professionals believe firms ready for cyberattacks

In the recent Medical Group Management Association’s (MGMA) Stat poll, 55 percent of healthcare professionals believe their organization's information technology (IT) infrastructure was secure against cyberattacks.

What healthcare can learn from Netwrix report on data security

The recent Netwrix 2017 IT Risks Report examined information technologies professionals across 30 industries to find 75 percent of healthcare systems reported budget and a lack of time as main barriers to improving data security. The report was conducted by Netwrix Corporation to outline the thoughts to IT professionals regarding the data protection.

Physicians used Snapchat to send patient information

Snapchat, an app that allows users to send images to each other, might be great for friends to trade funny photos—but it's not something for physicians to transmit patient information. But a recent report from DeepMind Health found physicians were using it to send patient scans to one another.

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Cost of data breaches in healthcare increased while other industries see 10% drop

Data breaches cost healthcare organizations an average of $380 per record, more than any other industry included in the 2017 Cost of Data Breach study from IBM Security and the Ponemon Institute.

Healthcare blockchain will be widely adopted within 5 years, execs say

A large majority (83 percent) of executives in life sciences and pharmaceutical companies believes there will be widespread adoption of healthcare blockchain tools within the next five years, according to a survey released by the Pistoia Alliance.

Petya cyber-attack reaches American pharmaceutical company, hospitals

A second largescale international cyberattack has landed on U.S. soil in recent weeks. The Petya ransomware attack, which first attacked computer systems in Ukraine, has spread to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies in United States.

Anthem reaches $115M settlement in data breach lawsuit

Health insurance giant Anthem has reached a settlement of $115 million after a class action lawsuit related to a 2015 data breach. The agreement—which addresses the breach of patient information including names, date of birth and social security numbers—is set to be the largest data breach settlement if approved by the court.

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Apps targeting those with dementia lack security for patient data

Health applications meant to assist those in need could possibly be harming users with less than satisfactory privacy. A study published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry presented researchers’ evaluations of safety standards in health apps meant to help patients with cognitive impairments.

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

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