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 Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, using malware, ransomware and spyware to attack outdated and vulnerable systems and software.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

CHIME, AEHIS weigh in on FDA's medical device cybersecurity guidance

CHIME and AEHIS believe the solution begins with more cooperation between healthcare organizations and device manufacturers.

Stolen mail truck impacts 2,400 Kaiser Permanente members

The theft of a mail truck carrying protected health information is the source of a data breach affecting 2,400 members of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente.

Gem launches blockchain initiative

Gem, a blockchain technology platform, has launched Gem Health, an initiative for building an inclusive blockchain ecosystem for healthcare.

Thumbnail

Physical theft and loss the top reason for healthcare security incidents

Almost three-quarters of security incidents in healthcare in 2015 involved physical theft and loss, insider and privilege misuse and miscellaneous errors, according to the Verizon 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report.

Oneida Nation suffers data breach

The Oneida Nation's Oneida Health Center in Wisconsin has reported a data breach after a flash drive containing details of patients' dental information was stolen.

Phishing email the source of a breach for Wyoming Medical Center

An email phishing scheme has led to a data breach impacting 3,184 patients of Wyoming Medical Center. 

N.C. provider to pay $750,000 to settle HIPAA violations

Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic of North Carolina will pay $750,000 to settle HIPAA violation charges.  

Stolen unencrypted laptop impacts CVS pharmacy customers in Alabama

A stolen unencrypted laptop is the source of a data breach affecting customers of a CVS Pharmacy in Calera, Ala., according to a report by AL.com. 

Around the web

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

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.”