Cybersecurity

Since the start of 2020, hospitals and health systems have been navigating the aftermath of phishing attacks along with integrating new policies and procedures to mitigate the changes of these cyberattacks.

While ransomware demands from hackers can total millions of dollars, the downtime costs hospitals face if they decline to pay can also be staggering.

The computer system and EHR at more than 500 affiliated offices of Boston Children's Hospital were partially restored Feb. 14 following a malware attack, according to The MetroWest Daily News.

Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego has boosted security after an employee allegedly made threats against the hospital, according to 10News.

While cybersecurity isn't a new issue for healthcare organizations, it remains among the top areas of concern for CIOs in 2020.

After experiencing a ransomware attack in September 2019, Campbell County Health COO Colleen Heeter stresses the importance of backups, according to the Laramie Boomerang.

Decatur, Texas-based Wise Health System began notifying 66,934 patients that their protected health information may have been exposed in a phishing attack, according to a Feb. 13 news release.

Neary 1.1 million patients in Michigan have been affected by ransomware attacks since 2016 — the most in the United States, according to a Comparitech survey.

When clinicians and school nurses work collaboratively confusion about federal privacy laws are more likely to arise, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

Great Bend, Kan.-based Central Kansas Orthopedic Group began notifying 17,214 patients that their information may have been exposed in a ransomware attack.