Cybersecurity

So far in 2020, 412 healthcare organizations reported to HHS a collective total of 20,659,038 individuals being affected by data breaches.

Philadelphia-based Einstein Health Network reported a cyberattack on employee email accounts that compromised patient information.

On Oct. 12, Microsoft took action to block ransomware distributor Trickbot, according to a company blog post.

The Office for Civil Rights announced its ninth settlement Oct. 9 for its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative, which requires providers to give patients access to their medical records quickly and without being overcharged. 

Unity Health Toronto, a Catholic hospital network in Canada, is alleging that a transcriptionist stole medical records and attempted to extort money for their return, according to a CTV News report.

The National Security Agency granted the University of Louisville (Ky.) $6 million to develop a healthcare cybersecurity online certificate program, according to an Oct. 9 news release.

A ransomware attack can cause an upheaval to hospital operations, from forcing systems to revert to paper records, temporarily suspend services and even, in some cases, permanently close their doors.  

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a 2014 data breach that affected about 6.1 million patients, according to an Oct. 8 Iowa justice department news release.

AdventHealth Orlando (Fla.) reported a data security incident related to the exposure of paper records or film.

The Office for Civil Rights issued its eighth settlement Oct. 7 for its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative.