Cybersecurity news for hospitals and health systems

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago said it is "no longer addressing an active cybersecurity matter" after a cyberattack disrupted the hospital's operations earlier this year.

Recent cyberattacks on healthcare organizations have raised concerns about potential financial repercussions, particularly regarding their credit ratings. However, according to Fitch Ratings, these cyber incidents are unlikely to impact the credit standings of the affected organizations.

Paying ransom is typically the only way for healthcare organizations to retrieve their data or restore their systems after a ransomware attack, ransomware negotiators told Politico.

A new agency within the National Institutes of Health is launching a $50 million initiative to develop tools for hospital IT teams that enhance their cybersecurity measures and resources to combat ransomware.

Healthcare leaders are praising St. Louis-based Ascension for its communications response to a recent cyberattack, pointing to the health system's transparency and speed in divulging information.

Binghamton, N.Y.-based Guthrie Lourdes Hospital has also been impacted by the ransomware attack on St. Louis-based Ascension as the healthcare organization used to be a part of the organization. 

A cybersecurity expert said that the ransomware attacks on Change Healthcare and St. Louis-based Ascension has highlighted the healthcare industry's cybersecurity weakness, CNN reported May 15. 

St. Louis-based Ascension has brought in additional cybersecurity experts to help with its restoration efforts after the organization was hit by a ransomware attack on May 8. 

As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, Trevor Martin, chief information security officer at UW Health, is raising questions about the motivations and preparedness of job applicants in the field, The Cap Times reported May 15.

Congressional leaders continue to seek answers from UnitedHealth Group over the Change Healthcare cyberattack.