Hospitals and health systems aren’t exactly difficult targets for hackers. The sheer amount of tech equipment combined with the gross number of employees at any given facility makes it relatively easy for cyber criminals to make their move.
As the number of cyber attacks steadily grows, top-level executives are getting worried. CHIME CEO Russell Branzell said C-suiters are “freaking out” as the nation “enter[s] into a security war for healthcare,” according to the report.
Data breaches — and particularly ransomware attacks — are alarming the government, too. Despite HHS creating the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force, some are still concerned. “It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), according to the report.
Others are calling for hospitals to take on more of the blame themselves. “If you aren’t following good practices, the regulatory environment isn’t going to save you,” said Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), according to the report. “[H]ealthcare has to help itself.”
To read the full Politico article, click here.
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