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 Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, using malware, ransomware and spyware to attack outdated and vulnerable systems and software.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.

Los Angeles Valley College pays $28,000 ransom after cyberattack

After detecting a cyberattack, the Los Angeles Community College District has paid $28,000 in bitcoin ransom.

OCR clarifies HIPAA disclosure after Orlando nightclub shooting

HHS’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has clarified that HIPAA’s rules on disclosing protected health information (PHI) are not limited by the sex or gender identity of the patient or their loved ones.

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Presence Health first to be fined for delayed breach notification

HHS’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced its first HIPAA enforcement action based solely on a healthcare facility not reporting a data breach in a timely manner. 

Foreign government suspected in Anthem cyber security breach

The California Department of Insurance has released its findings and settlement agreement in regards to the security breach of the insurance company Anthem. More than 78 million patient records, 12 million belonging to minors, were breached on January 27, 2015.

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Wearables and the risk to users' data privacy

Most people don’t realize the risks to privacy and security posed by wearable devices. A report by researchers at American University and the Center for Digital Democracy includes recommendations and explanations for the primary concerns associated with wearable technologies.

Mumps outbreaks plague college campuses

There have been more mumps outbreaks in 2016, particularly on college campuses, than in decade prior, alarming the medical community and the government.

Connected medical devices are not as safe as they seem

Connected devices, meant to improve patient outcomes, are able to be turned against those they were meant to help, all thanks to hackers. Now, the healthcare system is struggling to keep such devices safe.

HIMSS eyes 3 main topics to improve homeland security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released its Draft National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) in September. Now, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has written a letter focusing on three main topics to improve the plan.

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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