AHA provides input to senator on reducing health care cyber vulnerabilities

In a letter today to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., AHA responds to a recent request from the senator for input regarding cybersecurity in the health care sector. The letter discusses AHA efforts to assist members with cybersecurity risk reduction and mediation; federal government efforts to stimulate and promote additional risk reduction strategies in the health field; and AHA recommendations for reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in health care. “Hospitals and health systems have made great strides to defend their networks, secure patient data, preserve the efficient delivery of health care services and, most importantly, protect patient safety,” AHA writes. “The AHA supports improving the cybersecurity of medical devices to help reduce vulnerabilities, increasing the cybersecurity workforce to ensure needed experts can help prevent attacks, and the developing of a safe harbor to give reassurance to facilities with exemplary cyber practices. … We look forward to working with you and others in Congress to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the health care sector.”