The good — our society clearly recognizes the vital role our hospitals and health systems play in our nation’s critical infrastructure and how important they are to our communities’ health and safety.

The bad — we have seen an increase in the frequency, severity and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting hospitals and health systems.

For example, ransomware attacks in the U.S. have doubled in the last three months with health care being ranked as the most attacked sector, according to a report released this week by the cybersecurity firm Check Point. These types of attacks can result in the cancelation of routine appointments and surgeries, delays in treatment, denied access to electronic health records at critical moments and ambulance diversions. 

At the AHA, we have made cybersecurity a top priority. We’re developing and sharing new resources that you can use in your organizations and keeping you updated on the latest threats to our field. We’re also working closely with the federal government because a strong partnership is necessary to enhance our efforts. 

And as you know, nearly three years ago we brought on John Riggi to be our senior advisor for cybersecurity and risk. John joined us after a nearly 30-year career with the FBI and is among the nation’s top experts on confronting health care cyber threats. He’s worked with many hospitals and health systems on an individual basis to provide strategic cybersecurity and risk advisory services, as well as conducted educational webinars and training.

As a field, we’ve made great progress to enhance our cybersecurity efforts. But we know, regardless of the level of preparation, no organization is completely immune from these threats.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good opportunity to reexamine how prepared we are to prevent a cyberattack from disrupting care and potentially endangering patients and their data. And the truth is we need to be doing this each and every day.

Be assured, you aren’t alone in the fight to safeguard your patients and communities from cyberattacks. The AHA is proud to be your partner and support these critical efforts.

Related News Articles

Headline
The FBI Aug. 20 released an advisory warning of malicious activity by Russian cyber actors targeting end-of-life devices running an unpatched vulnerability in…
Perspective
Public
The job description for the ideal health care leader in coming years might read something like this:Wanted: Bold, compassionate innovator who unites clinical…
Headline
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, National Security Agency, FBI and international agencies Aug. 13…
Headline
The Department of Justice Aug. 11 announced a series of actions taken against the BlackSuit ransomware group, also known as “Royal,” including the disruption…
Headline
The Senate July 29 voted 51-47 along party lines to confirm Susan Monarez as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monarez served…
Headline
The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and international agencies July 29 released a joint advisory on recent tactics by the Scattered…