The Biden-Harris administration in 2024 secured commitments from Microsoft to support independent critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals with grants and discounts of up to 75% on security products. As part of the initiative, Microsoft also offered free cybersecurity assessments, training for frontline and IT staff and a year of complimentary Windows 10 security updates for larger rural hospitals using eligible Microsoft solutions.
In a March 5 press release, Microsoft said the program aims to address both the immediate cyber threats facing rural hospitals and the broader systemic challenges affecting cybersecurity in rural healthcare.