Several hospitals and healthcare providers were hit by cyberattacks in October, including six ransomware attacks in 24 hours.
Cybersecurity
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania received a five-year, $6 million grant to study artificial intelligence systems and how to better protect them from malicious disruptions, according to an Oct. 27 news release.
Hospitals across the U.S. are taking pre-emptive steps to avoid cyberattacks after the FBI issued a warning of increased hacking activity on Oct. 28.
Microsoft reported a vulnerability in its Windows operating system, ranging from versions Windows 7 to Windows 10, is being targeted by cybercriminals, according to a Nov. 1 Forbes report.
The New Haven (Conn.) Health Department has agreed to pay HHS' Office for Civil Rights $202,400 over a 2017 HIPAA breach related to improper termination of a former employee's access to patient medical records.
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Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould notified patients Oct. 29 that its third-party lockbox service experienced an IT security breach that potentially exposed their protected health and banking information.
Bellefontaine, Ohio-based Mary Rutan Hospital discovered and removed a link providing patient information inadvertently posted online, HHS revealed Oct. 29.
In October, 35 organizations reported to HHS a total of 692,490 individuals being affected by data breaches.
Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo., reported an unauthorized individual gained access to two employee email accounts earlier this year.
Six U.S. hospitals were hit by ransomware attacks from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27, and federal authorities and IT security experts are warning there are likely more on the way.