White House Will Require Cyber Standards for Hospitals
GovTech
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Contributed by: Reid Stephan
Summary
The Biden administration plans to enforce minimum cybersecurity standards for hospitals following a significant hack at Change Healthcare, affecting 100 million Americans by exposing patient data and disrupting financial operations. This cybersecurity push, led by Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser, responds to vulnerabilities highlighted by the hack, including delayed patient care and financial instability for clinics, with the breach potentially slashing UnitedHealth's profits by up to $1.6 billion. Alongside regulatory measures, the administration aims to offer free cybersecurity training to 1,400 small and rural hospitals. This initiative comes as the healthcare sector increasingly falls prey to cyber-attacks, evidenced by a recent cybersecurity incident at Ascension, a leading hospital network. Resistance from industry representatives like the American Hospital Association is anticipated, despite the clear need for improved security measures highlighted by these incidents.
