Cybersecurity news for hospitals and health systems

UF Health Central Florida recently began notifying patients that their personal information may have been exposed in a May cyberattack that shut down the Leesburg-based health system's IT systems. 

Ransomware attacks have put hospital leaders in a frenzy as they simultaneously battle COVID-19 and hackers. However, relentless attacks could end up benefiting patients and consumers, according to an Aug. 2 Harvard Business Review article.

Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network began notifying patients that their data was stolen in the Accellion data breach that has affected at least 3 million others, according to an Aug. 3 report by The Morning Call.

In July, 4,584,411 patients and employees across 39 healthcare organizations were hit by data breaches.

Corydon, Iowa-based Wayne County Hospital began notifying 2,016 patients that their data may have been exposed after hackers launched a phishing attack on its employee emails.

The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency published new security guidance July 28 urging public and private organizations to secure their IT networks and unveiled the top 12 commonly exploited vulnerabilities hackers target. 

IU Health in Indianapolis launched an innovation lab to test the security of medical devices the health system uses for patients, Inside Indiana Business reported July 29. 

Most Americans (80 percent) are concerned that getting a COVID-19 vaccine digital passport would jeopardize the security of their personal health information, Fast Company reported July 29. 

Orlando (Fla.) Family Physicians began notifying 447,426 patients that it was the victim of a phishing attack on its employee email accounts.

Before the flood of ransomware attacks, robocalls or data breaches, not all hospitals had chief information security officers. Now, these security executives are in high demand, and salaries are skyrocketing to attract candidates, according to a July 29 report by…