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 Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, using malware, ransomware and spyware to attack outdated and vulnerable systems and software.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

Web-based data tool designed to enhance drug safety

A new kind of search engine has been developed and can be used to reduce the negative side effects of prescription drugs , while even discovering new uses for medications.

Thousands of patients' personal data breached at Massachusetts hospital

About 4,300 Massachusetts General Hospital patients’ Social Security numbers, dates of birth and dental info became available to unauthorized users in February, the hospital announced June 29. 

Why is healthcare the favorite prey of computer hackers?

Date breaches have been dominating the news in recent months. Hackers have stolen patient records then sold them on the black market.

Hacker claims to have 600K patient records, wants big payday

A hacker by the name of “thedarkoverlord” is advertising the sale of hundreds of thousands of heath records, including social security and insurance policy numbers, reports MotherBoard.

Healthcare data breaches more expensive than other industries

Healthcare organizations will pay more per lost or stolen record when their data is breached, according to a new study by IBM and the Ponemon Institute.

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Unauthorized access blamed in more 2016 data breaches than hacking

The leading cause of healthcare data breaches so far this year is unauthorized access or disclosure, not hacking, according to data compiled by HHS’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

Experts weigh in on elevating CISO within HHS to improve cybersecurity

Several data security experts testified before a congressional panel in favor of a House proposal to elevate HHS’s chief information security officer (CISO) to a separate office, while one expressed concerns about making the office a presidential appointment.

ACLU: Myriad Genetics kept data from breast cancer patients

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a complaint on behalf of breast cancer patients who claim Utah-based Myriad Genetics violated HIPAA law by refusing to turn over the patient’s own genetic data.

Around the web

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more. 

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.

When drugs are on the FDA’s shortage list, outsourcing facilities can produce their own compounded versions. When the FDA removed tirzepatide from that list with no warning, it created a considerable amount of chaos both behind the scenes and in pharmacies all over the country. 

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