Cybersecurity news for hospitals and health systems

Hospital and health system chief information security officers are no longer simply worried about the possibility of an employee clicking on a spam email or link as part of a phishing attack, no matter how common these instances still are…

In response to increased scrutiny over companies' collection and use of healthcare and other data, the newest trend in the tech startup world is a focus on data privacy and protection, NBC News reports.

Fort Worth, Texas-based MHMR of Tarrant County began notifying 6,524 patients that their information may have been exposed in a phishing attack.

Connecticut health insurer Access Health CT is notifying approximately 1,100 members that their information may have been exposed in a phishing attack, according to the Hartford Courant.

Because ransomware attacks can be destructive to hospitals and health systems, executives must take precautions to protect their information.

Houston-based Fondren Orthopedic Group is notifying 30,049 patients that their medical records may have been damaged in a malware attack.

UnitedHealthcare disclosed Jan. 31 that a limited number of members may have had their information exposed in a data breach, according to The Post and Courier.

Along with the uptick in cybersecurity incidents at hospitals and health systems, patients have begun to take action in response to their data potentially being mishandled. 

Numerous privacy incidents at hospitals, IT suppliers and other healthcare organizations captured public attention in January.

Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center began notifying employees Jan. 23 about a data breach within its payroll system, according to the Meadville Tribune.