A turf war among cybercriminals associated with Marks & Spencer has highlighted the competitive and distrustful dynamics within the hacking community. This internal strife not only poses risks for the perpetrators, increasing their vulnerability to law enforcement, but also disrupts their operations, potentially benefiting cybersecurity efforts. As these rival groups focus on their own conflicts, their ability to coordinate large-scale attacks diminishes, offering a glimmer of hope for healthcare technology professionals facing persistent cybersecurity threats. The situation underscores the complex interplay between criminal competition and technological security measures in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.

Cybercriminal Turf War Exposes Fragility Within Hacking Networks Financial Times

City of Hope is actively investigating the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance cancer care, participating in the HealthLeaders' AI in Clinical Care Mastermind program. Chief AI and analytics officer, Nasim Eftekhari, emphasizes the need for strict governance and oversight in AI implementation to ensure data quality and effective integration into diagnostics and treatment. AI's ability to analyze diverse data types has the potential to uncover critical insights that could bridge existing gaps in cancer research, but its success depends on careful, incremental advancements. As healthcare professionals navigate these developments, the focus on continuous model validation and monitoring is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

AI-Driven Cancer Care: City of Hopes Innovative Approach to Treatment HealthLeaders Media

In 2024, the use of patient portals saw a significant increase, with 34% of individuals becoming frequent users compared to just 15% in 2019, indicating a shift towards greater patient engagement in health management. Data from the U.S. Health and Human Services shows that 77% of individuals were offered online access to their health information, attributed to the Cures Act's mandate for secure APIs. This trend empowers patients to make informed health decisions, enhancing the role of healthcare technology in patient-provider interactions. Healthcare professionals must adapt to this growing demand for digital access and engagement tools to better meet patient needs.

Patient Portal Usage Surges in 2024: Empowering Self-Managed Health Healthcare IT News

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented a new policy mandating that all research it funds must be publicly accessible immediately upon publication, a move that accelerates efforts to promote open access to taxpayer-funded research. This policy change, initially set for December, reflects a push by the Trump administration to reassess the traditional subscription model of scientific publishing, which often restricts access to paying subscribers. Such a shift may significantly impact healthcare professionals, as it aims to reduce the financial barriers to accessing vital research findings, ultimately fostering a more informed and equitable landscape in health-related fields. The initiative has garnered support from the Department of Health and Human Services, which highlights its potential to provide better value for public investment in research.

NIH Mandates Immediate Open Access for All Funded Research Axios