With Microsoft and Google, the White House is providing cybersecurity tools for hospitals nationwide
As part of its recent efforts to boost cybersecurity resilience in critical sectors across the country, the White House this week announced a new initiative that will tap the private sector to help small and rural hospitals that are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Biden administration, working with the American Hospital Association and the National Rural Health Association, says it has gotten Google and Microsoft to each offer free and low-cost tools and services for independent critical access and emergency hospitals in rural areas.
“Cyberattacks against America’s healthcare systems will increase 130% by 2023, forcing hospitals to cancel procedures and affecting Americans’ access to critical care,” said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, in a statement. “Rural hospitals are particularly hard hit because they are often the sole source of care for the communities they serve and lack trained cyber personnel and modern cyber defenses.”
Google, in turn, says it will provide free endpoint security consulting to these hospitals and also offer financing for software migration. In addition, the company plans to launch a pilot program to package cybersecurity technologies that meet the unique needs of small and rural facilities.
Meanwhile, the new Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals aims to offer grants and up to 75% discounts on security products optimized for smaller organizations, the company says. Eligible rural hospitals can receive free cybersecurity assessments from qualified technology security providers and free training for frontline and IT staff.
In addition, eligible hospitals that already use Microsoft tools can use the advanced security package free of charge for a year. And Microsoft will extend Windows 10 security updates to participating hospitals free of charge for a year.
The Biden administration notes that cyber attacks are especially disruptive to rural hospitals – which serve more than 60 million patients in the US
Because rural hospitals are designated as critical access – more than 35 miles away from another hospital – potential disruptions to care during a ransomware attack, such as ambulance diversions and the need to revert to manual solutions, could prove to be particularly dangerous.
It is in recognition of the vital role these more than 2,000 rural hospitals play in the communities they serve that the White House, AHA and NRHA have spearheaded this effort.
“Hospitals nationwide face a unique cybersecurity challenge, balancing limited resources with the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, putting patient data and critical healthcare infrastructure at risk,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of NRHA.
THE BIG TREND
According to the U.S. Healthcare System, cyber attacks against the U.S. healthcare system increased 128% from 2022 to 2023. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
And the first few months of this year have already seen some of the largest healthcare cyberattacks to date, disrupting healthcare delivery, claims processing and more.
The federal government is trying to respond to this moment. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services has one cybersecurity gateway for healthcare to help streamline access to HHS cybersecurity information and resources and prioritize high-impact cybersecurity practices.
And just this month, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health announced the launch of Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense, or UPGRADE, an initiative that will invest more than $50 million in creating tools to help IT teams better manage the hospital to defend. environments against cyber attacks.
Also this month, the White House convened chief information security officials and other infosec professionals from across the healthcare industry – providers, suppliers and others – to compare notes on cybersecurity challenges, share threat intelligence and work on more secure technologies for the healthcare. .
ON THE RECORD
“Cybersecurity is a top priority for America’s hospitals and healthcare systems. It is also a shared responsibility,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “While hospitals and healthcare systems have invested significant resources to protect against cyberattacks, they cannot do this alone. That’s why these commitments from Microsoft and Google are important.
“It’s no secret that many rural hospitals across America are struggling as they serve as the lifeline for healthcare in their communities, so keeping them safe is essential,” Pollack added. “The AHA appreciates the White House’s support of rural hospitals and healthcare systems and looks forward to continuing to work with them and other stakeholders in government, law enforcement and the technology sector to expand these resources to all hospitals.”
Mike Miliard is editor-in-chief of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.