Cybersecurity news for hospitals and health systems

Hospitals across the U.S. have tightened email security to prevent ransomware attacks.

Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health disclosed on Nov. 4 that one of its medical practices was hit by a ransomware attack, leaving patient data unrecoverable.

HP noted a significant increase in malicious spam campaigns using Emotet malware during the third quarter in the "HP-Bromium Threat Insights Report, October 2020."

Wakefern Food Corp., a large retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, N.J., and two associated ShopRite supermarkets will pay $235,000 to settle HIPAA violation allegations for inappropriately discarding patient records.

Several hospitals and healthcare providers were hit by cyberattacks in October, including six ransomware attacks in 24 hours.

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. 

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.