Stay ahead of the headlines

Feb 28, 2024·Technology Review

Gary Marcus, an AI critic, discusses his concerns over AI's current state, including exploitation by tech companies, misuse of copyrighted materials, and the absence of common sense in AI systems. He believes AI policy and action are urgently needed to avoid making the same mistakes as with social media companies. Marcus has written a book, Taming Silicon Valley, about AI regulation and public involvement for responsible AI.

Feb 28, 2024·MedCity News

Healthcare's struggle with disconnected data systems and lack of interoperability leads to errors and delays. Despite tools for digital integration, most referrals still happen via fax, showing poor tool adoption due to usability issues. Emory Healthcare is streamlining digital referrals while Micky Tripathi from the ONC emphasizes the need for encouraging use of electronic referral tools.

Feb 28, 2024·Wired

Tech companies' coddling culture shifts post-mass layoffs making hiring harder involving days of unpaid work assignments. Hiring process for tech roles has become more challenging with take-home coding tests and rigorous live-coding exercises. The role of AI in the tech industry complicates hiring practices; candidates use AI techniques in interviews and job searches. The need for an updated approach to interviewing is highlighted.

Feb 28, 2024·BankInfoSecurity

International operation seizes LockBit ransomware group's infrastructure, disrupting its operations; the latest in digital takedowns. UK's National Crime Agency confirms seizure of LockBit, one of largest ransomware-as-a-service operations with over 3000 victims. LockBit's operations, source code and victim details have been seized, potentially affecting ransomware ecosystem. Increase in seizures attributed to Biden administration's international ransomware taskforce. Despite previous arrests and leaks, LockBit may rebuild under different name. LockBit responsible for prior high-profile attacks on ICBC's NY subsect and UK's Royal Mail. Full extent of Operation Cronos unknown, FBI to announce further details.

Feb 28, 2024·LinkedIn

Dale Gold, a physician informatics specialist, discusses the potential of using Epic's EHR in a mixed-reality environment, Epic Spatial Computing Concept app, on the Apple Vision Pro. The app promises charting, secure chat, and In Basket workflows using gestures, voice, and eye tracking. Gold aims to test this technology to judge its efficiency and practicality in healthcare. He highlights that the app is not yet production-ready and discusses concerns about its potential to become a novelty that increases costs. Gold encourages feedback on the app and its potential in transforming EHR in healthcare.

Feb 28, 2024·The Record

Global law enforcement coalition, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), gains comprehensive access to LockBit's systems interrupting operations, seizing intel, and more releases expected. Gleaned decryption keys, collected crime and user data, arrests in Ukraine and Poland made, more planned. Updated information and insights posted daily on LockBit's website. Officials attribute LockBit with 25% of all ransomware attacks, $120 million in extortion fees collected; 200 cryptocurrency accounts frozen.

Feb 27, 2024·Forbes

Despite Epic's 36% market share in U.S. hospitals not satisfying monopoly definitions, concerns rise about its dominant position and stifling healthcare innovation impact. Epic attracts top tech talent, offering long-term, game-changing research and development investments, ensuring consumer trust, predictability, and security. Critics argue its significant control over health system and academic medical center markets hinders competition, potentially negatively affecting healthcare expenditure. Epic allegedly employs contracts restricting third-party developers and employees to maintain its intellectual property. Seven areas of conduct are noted for scrutiny, including excessive non-compete clauses, unsustainable fee structures, and bundling practices.

Feb 27, 2024·Emerging Tech Brew

CIOs worry about app sprawl, complexity, and potential security risks in workplaces using many platforms for different tasks, finds a Canva and Harris report. Most plan to increase AI investments this year despite an oversupply of AI services and existing uncertainty around their use. Canva integrates various AI tools, aiming to mitigate the need for app hopping.

Feb 26, 2024·H-ISAC

Healthcare company, Change Healthcare experienced cyber issue, isolated systems. Health-ISAC shares threat bulletin, maintaining connections with UnitedHealth Group, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and indicating IOCs. Information suggests incident contained by UHG, advises continuation of severed connections to Change Healthcare. RedSense identifies exploitation by ConnectWise ScreenConnect. IOCs for compromise shared alongside suggested examination procedures. ConnectWise alert highlights bypass vulnerability in ScreenConnect servers, recommends immediate patch action. Mitigation practices suggest software update.

Feb 26, 2024·Starbridge Advisors

"Technology debt," compromising IT infrastructure due to underfunding and investment compromises, causes operational issues over time. In health systems, tech debt may lead to massive downtime costs, budget overruns, and compromised efficiency. Addressing tech debt necessitates comprehensive assessment, business-focused approach, regular budget allocation, and possibly switching to new technology stacks. Regained control over tech debt allows organizations to refocus tech resources on value creation for employees and patients.

Feb 26, 2024·Dark Reading

Firms scramble to meet SEC's cybersecurity regulations as mishandling PII may lead to catastrophic losses. Privacy claims take years to process though they are as disastrous as a ransomware attack. Corporations also face pixel-tracking claims due to lack of proper website activity consent. Anderson highlights that insurance payouts for privacy claims are not large, as insurers accrue interest from escrow funds during claim negotiations. Enterprises need better data elimination to avoid regulatory violations. Despite compliance with state laws and having cyber insurance, companies are not fully protected from potential litigation and fines for non-compliance with privacy laws. Firms recommended to use cyber insurer assistance to remain compliant and ensure their policies are effective.

Feb 26, 2024·LinkedIn

CIOs worry about costlier software bundles due to IT vendors favoring bigger sales strategies. Recent Broadcom acquisition, VMware, shifted from 160 individual products to two bundled offerings, asserting better value due to more included features. However, CIOs argue the higher prices for unwanted additional features impractical. Many call for flexible, modular, menu-style offerings akin to cloud sales, stressing that most companies won't utilize the full software bundle. New vendors, preferably smaller companies, are advised for lower, more bespoke pricing models.

Feb 26, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

Walmart curbs health costs, directing 1.6 million employees to Centers of Excellence, high-quality care providers. Program covers travel, treatment costs; works with predefined, contracted providers. Employers reimbursed via bundled payments. Plans include referral to 18 health systems/providers in 2024.

Feb 26, 2024·SC Magazine

Security flaws in ConnectWise's ScreenConnect app were used in a LockBit malware attack, causing slowdowns at UnitedHealth's Change Healthcare pharmacies. ConnectWise denies a direct connection between the incident and vulnerability. The attack, linked to a suspected nation-state, could put patient data at risk and cause widespread operational disruptions. The attack highlights the importance of cybersecurity audits in healthcare mergers and acquisitions.

Feb 25, 2024·sxsw.com

AI will change healthcare workers into tech workers soon, need new education model. Skills transformation creates AI-powered organization. Panel discussion to inform skills, education evolution and implications for patients. Beneficial in developing future healthcare workforce.

Feb 25, 2024·KC Beacon

AI use growing in Kansas City hospitals aiding physicians in recording notes and managing hospital beds. Health industry members believe AI can reduce costs, staff exhaustion, and improve patient care. However, regulation is required to avoid harmful potential. One mother used ChatGPT to diagnose her son's condition, undiagnosed by 17 doctors. Concerns about AI biases exist, affecting its credibility. Hospitals argue AI benefits include reduced costs, improved patient care, and advanced research. Tools such as Abridge are used to record patient visits, creating accurate notes and reducing doctor's paperwork. AI-based Patient Progression Hub at Children's Mercy improved inter-hospital referrals and patient discharging. Most Americans surveyed, however, feel uncomfortable with AI healthcare. Industry organizations create own AI standards, waiting for governmental regulations. The Center for Practical Bioethics encourages devising hospital AI policies and expecting tech developers to answer bias-related questions. Governmental bodies are now considering AI regulations.

Feb 25, 2024·MedCity News

US hospital data breaches increased by 93% (369-712) from 2018-2022, with large ransomware breaches rising by 278%, says Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights. To counter this, the Department released voluntary cybersecurity performance goals (CPGs) and a website to help health organizations implement cybersecurity practices. The CPGs include 10 essential goals, such as mitigating vulnerabilities, adding multi-factor authentication and basic cybersecurity training. A panel discussion, including a big announcement, on the issue is slated for the ViVE 2024 event.

Feb 25, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

CoxHealth moves IT operations in-house from Oracle Health aiming stronger synergies, better knowledge retention, and faster problem-solving. Contrary to popular trend of outsourcing, the move ensures better alignment within departments, conducive experience for all stakeholders, supporting their continued growth and success trend. Patrick Murfee, VP and CTO highlights the importance of retaining IT knowledge and speed in healthcare environment.

Feb 25, 2024·BankInfoSecurity

LockBit ransomware group disrupted; 14k email accounts linked closed, 35 servers seized. Avast settles privacy investigation for $16.5M. Concerns over email server attacks in Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland from Russia-linked threat group. No cyberattack evidence in AT&T network outage. A vulnerability in Apple's Shortcuts app allows possible access to sensitive user data. Microsoft unveils improved logging capabilities for federal agencies. Android banking Trojan Anatsa circulating malicious apps in Europe. North Korean hackers target global defence sectors. Baking giant Grupo Bimbo suffers ransomware attack.

Feb 25, 2024·Healthcare Dive

Walgreens closing remaining VillageMD clinics in Florida, continues cost-cutting. VillageMD, exiting Florida—one of largest markets—lacks doctors, patients in smaller clinics. Despite $5.2 billion investment, U.S. Healthcare struggles to profit. In cost-cutting, Walgreens shuts 60 VillageMD clinics, 450 retail locations; layoffs. Company's stock drops 41% since January 2023. Walgreens explores selling specialty pharmacy Shields Health Solutions. Leadership turnover and opioid epidemic liabilities add to woes.