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Despite continuously integrating innovative cybersecurity upgrades and enhancements, the healthcare industry remains a primary target for cyber attacks and data breaches for a myriad of reasons. A medical facility's technology environment contains employee and provider information, financial data, as well as a full spectrum of highly sensitive patient information, all...
Connected medical devices have become an integral part of the patient experience here in the United States. Recent statistics demonstrate that a single hospital room may have, on average, 15-20 medical devices in it, many of them connecting directly into the healthcare facility's IT infrastructure. Beyond the number in each...
Medical devices are increasingly being connected to hospital networks, the internet, patient home networks, and to other medical devices. This broad sharing of information allows physicians to respond to patient needs more quickly and tailor treatment plans based on outputs from medical devices in use. However, these capabilities also increase...
Every healthcare organization, regardless of the devices used, faces the risk of cybersecurity attacks. However, the use of mobile devices and apps can bring the risk of a cyber-attack to another level. Apps and mobile devices are highly effective, affordable, and convenient ways for medical facilities to manage a diverse...
Cyber attacks are a regular occurrence throughout the healthcare industry. Unfortunately, not only are data nad network security compromises common, they are also costly. A cyberattack can cost the organization $1.4 million in recovery expenses alone on average, including loss of productivity, service disruption, and irreparable reputation damage for medical...
With passwords becoming routinely compromised and users frequently concerned with memorizing lengthy and complex passwords, multi-factor authentication or MFA is becoming increasingly popular. However, the implementation of MFA solutions is not always properly executed to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. When implementing MFA, pause to consider: Have you identified the most...
Many CISOs and CIOs are constantly fighting for budget dollars and find themselves competing against other strategic initiatives within their organization. Gaining executive buy-in is critical to any successful cybersecurity program and is required to protect patient information adequately. Buy-in throughout the organization is increasingly more critical as the threat...
Having trouble finding, recruiting, and retaining the right level of cybersecurity talent to support your organization adequately? You can find comfort in the fact that you are not alone, as this challenge is impacting healthcare organizations across the country. Unfortunately, that comfort doesn’t fix your problem; but thinking differently might....
Many CISOs and CIOs struggle to find the most effective way to present their cybersecurity program to their board. Delivering this message in a meaningful way can prove to be important as your organization manages risks associated with cybersecurity. Pause to consider: Are you providing information about your program in...
Generic usernames pose an increased risk to digital environments, making them a desirable target for hackers. Most users don't realize that generic usernames such as “administrator, marketing, finance, surgery, and helpdesk” (among others) often have default passwords assigned to them; as a result, they are not often policed or audited...
Improperly managed privileged Active Directory accounts can introduce significant risk to healthcare organizations. There are several types of privileged accounts, including service accounts and administrator accounts. These accounts are valuable targets for attackers due to management difficulties and the level of access they provide. When managing privileged accounts, pause to...
Do your job responsibilities include overseeing or maintaining an environment that provides a secure platform for patient data and business resources? If so, you're probably alarmed by the daily headlines outlining phishing attacks that target healthcare industry employees. Pause to consider: Are your workforce members aware of current phishing trends...
Due to widespread adoption and a demand to improve patient outcomes, network-connected medical devices are playing a vital role in every health organization. These devices can decrease costs while increasing the quality of care patients receive. Despite the many advantages these devices offer, improper management can introduce significant risk to...
Many organizations understand the value of capturing and correlating log events from different security platforms and have invested heavily in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). SIEM technologies allow organizations to combine custom use-cases tailored to their business with distributed threat intelligence and incident management. To get the most out...
One of the most common ways bad actors gain access to digital environments is by guessing passwords. With so many devices being interconnected, cracking into one device could mean access to several devices, as well as extensive access to sensitive information. It is always a good idea to change your password...
How often is remote access evaluated and monitored? In today’s environment, the majority of the healthcare workforce does not need remote access. However, a large segment of remote-access users retains access that they no longer use or need. Unused, open-access accounts need to be disabled. Pause to consider: When was...
Many healthcare organizations need a formal process to govern their organization’s security program. A strong security governance and strategy program will better position your organization to respond to changes in technology, regulatory laws, and the ever-changing threat landscape while effectively managing information security and privacy risk to the organization. Pause to...
Hopefully, by now, your information security team has a defined process in place to remove access or privileges when an employee is terminated or transfers to a new role in your organization. Most of us are quick to disable accounts in Active Directory or email, but do you have a...
It's no secret that the healthcare industry is highly susceptible to cyber-attacks. However, most executives don't realize that many attacks are directed at what's arguably an organization's weakest link: its workforce. Workforce members and their user accounts are generally targeted via phishing attempts or brute force attacks. Pause to consider:...
Vulnerability threat management [VTM] is a key fundamental for compliance with HIPAA. Every healthcare organization should utilize VTM for foundational security management. To set your initiative up for success, pause to consider these essential factors: Are you performing authenticated or non-authenticated scans? Authenticated scans use authenticated user credentials to grant...
We often get so focused on individual tools, technologies, or processes that we don’t step back to evaluate the risk to the organization as a whole. Pause to consider these general questions to see if you’ve accounted for risk in your security program: Are you managing the risk of your...
The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued new documentation on May 24, 2019 specifying requirements and prohibitions for which Business Associates are directly liable. The OCR is authorized to take enforcement actions against Business Associates for ONLY 10 specific HIPAA violations. Some of these violations may include failure to:...
By nature, security technologies often have a broad spectrum of visibility into your devices, usage and environment. Pause to consider the following questions to determine if you’re getting the most value out of your security tools: Are you taking advantage of possible integrations? Security technologies work best when they are...
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies often require a significant time commitment, both for deployment as well as for overall system management. Don't risk costly missteps and wasted resources when assessing potential DLP solutions for your organization. As you evaluate DLP technologies, pause to consider: How will DLP policy violations be...
The critical nature of connected medical devices, coupled with the fact that responsibility for the devices often lies with multiple teams, means managing the security of your connected medical devices requires unique and strategic planning. To ensure your connected medical device program is successful, pause to consider: How to Properly...
Partnership and engagement are critical in managed service engagements. These relationships differ from an on-demand type relationship, requiring a different approach for success. For these relationships to succeed, and for you to derive value from these engagements, a managed service organization must truly serve as an extension of your team....
Connected medical device security platforms can often provide more value than just security insights. To ensure you're receiving all the value from your connected medical device security platform, pause to consider: Questions to Answer About Managing Connected Medical Devices Are you leveraging visibility provided by your connected medical technology to...
Servers are often the last systems to get patched or upgraded, making them an ideal target for cybercriminals on a global scale. Hackers can easily launch a successful cyber attack on a server, exploiting the lack of an updated security system, or even vulnerability patches that have not yet been...
Application attacks are on the rise in healthcare organizations across the country. The high demand from both patients and staff to have easy access to records and scheduling has resulted in a growing number of web applications being offered to users. However, as with any technology surge, the increase in...
Connected medical devices have been around, in various capacities, for the last several decades. However, the current advancements in technology, coupled with Internet of Things (IoT) innovation, has officially and effectively redefined the impact and reliance on these devices throughout the healthcare industry. Seen as an emerging technology and enabler...
Medical devices have experienced a significant growth surge over the last several years. Recent statistics indicate that a single hospital room may hold as many as 15-20 devices at any given moment, proving their value as an integral part of the patient care experience. The latest generation of medical devices,...
Medical devices are some of the most vital tools for healthcare organizations of every size and scope, impacting the performance (and public perception) of a facility. Practices throughout the country utilize an increasingly wide range of medical equipment to improve care levels as well as stand out as a market...
Every year, various advancements in technology make their way into the healthcare industry. From the Internet of Things [IoT] to telemedicine, all of these innovations are changing the way medical institutions deliver care across the world. While many significant benefits come from these modern healthcare innovations, staying connected at all...
Fortified's President, Dan L. Dodson discuss the state of connected medical device security in the healthcare industry.
Network security and cyber attacks continue to plague healthcare organizations of every size and scope across the US. A recently report,released by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), showed that over 15 million patient records were compromised in 2018 – a number that's only expected to grow with the surge...
Medical devices play a vital role in every health organization’s overall performance as well as the quality of care they can provide to patients. Today's state-of-the-art devices deliver a wide range of benefits, including the opportunity for continuous monitoring, telemedicine, and data analytics. Despite the many advantages offered through these...
Healthcare data breaches have been on the rise in recent years. Medical data is always a big target for cybercriminals as it is much more valuable than personal information alone. Many of these data breaches are considered an outside cyber attack – a lapse in cybersecurity due to a hacker...
Preventing a data breach or network security lapse is a top priority for healthcare organizations worldwide. The very nature of the devices and data transmitted across every internal system, coupled with a typically (and often, alarmingly) low number of cybersecurity resources makes healthcare environments exceptionally vulnerable to a cyber attack....
Cyber attacks and data breaches are on the rise in virtually every industry that utilizes and stores sensitive information to power its operations. However, the healthcare vertical is often particularly vulnerable to a network security lapse, often finding their data loss prevention efforts powerless against the increasingly sophisticated and complex...
Healthcare organizations across the country suffer from a myriad of network security issues that put their (and their patients') data at risk. Unfortunately, many healthcare administrators don't realize the scope of their cybersecurity vulnerabilities or just how at risk their organization is for a potential data breach – until it's...
Healthcare organizations recognize the vital urgency of maintaining uncompromised internal network security at all times. Under constant threat of a cyber attack, IT departments at hospitals and providers of every size prioritize cybersecurity practices, making proactive prevention and detection of a data breach a primary goal. What to Know About...
The HIPAA Security Rule mandates that healthcare organizations must have the appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards in place to protect the integrity, security, and confidentiality of electronically stored health data against a data breach or cyber attack. To remain compliant with HIPAA regulations, healthcare organizations must conduct an annual...
The practice of spam began innocently enough in 1978 (yes, really), when Gary Thuerk, a marketing associate at Digital Equipment Corporation sent a promotional mass-email to 400 recipients touting the arrival of the company's new T-series of VAX systems. The reaction was swift, fierce, and familiar: unadulterated annoyance. Today, the...
Yes, there are countless cybersecurity threats plaguing healthcare networks across the country at any given moment. However, recent reports suggest that many data breaches across any industry specifically occur due to poor email security practices within the company. A 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that as much as 66%...
In the healthcare industry, the word "triage" typically refers to a medical process that determines the order in which admitted patients receive treatment. In larger hospitals, triage protocol becomes particularly vital, as hundreds (and potentially even thousands) of patients pursue treatment and care daily. As patients are triaged, medical professionals...
It's official. Healthcare data breaches and cyber attacks have already reared their ugly digital heads in 2019. A recently released HIPAA Journal report demonstrated that, despite a respectable dip in cyber attacks throughout December 2018, January data breach events at healthcare facilities across the country rose to above typical levels....
With IT talent shortages reaching record heights, the healthcare industry is under mounting pressure to not only hire high performing technology employees to manage its mission-critical network security and data loss prevention efforts, but also to retain these staff members once they've joined the team. Unfortunately, successfully retaining high-performing employees...
The technology needs of any healthcare organization are constantly changing, forcing administrators to continuously reevaluate whether current systems fully support both patient and process needs. There are a myriad of reasons for this. For some healthcare organizations, it's simply a matter of updating obsolete programs to a more advanced and...
As the IT Security candidate shortage in the medical industry continues to grow, healthcare administrators find themselves faced with a second staffing crisis: turnover. As companies in every vertical compete for the same dwindling talent pool, the healthcare segment has had to navigate an upswing in turnover amongst their cybersecurity...
Like most innovation-centric industries, the healthcare vertical is undergoing rampant adoption and acceptance of the Internet of Things (IoT) as it strives to improve services, performance, and function. Accelerated leaps in technology have given healthcare executives extensive access to technology designed specifically to improve care levels as well as elevate...
Recent reports have confirmed what healthcare directors and HR specialists have already recognized and painfully experienced firsthand throughout 2018: last year’s cybersecurity job market was rife with hiring gaps, transitions, and disruptions. While the past several years have proven challenging for healthcare organizations looking to staff up their internal network...
As cybersecurity threats and attacks continue to evolve, hackers are consistently turning their attention to the United States healthcare industry. A 2017 report released by the Identity Theft Resource Center showed that, of the total number of data breaches tracked for the year by the organization, the Medical/Healthcare industry came...
At Fortified Health Security, we've seen firsthand how the many cybersecurity threats plaguing United States medical devices can impact healthcare facilities and organizations on a national scale. Yes, speed-of-light technology advances have transformed healthcare practices, treatments, and service delivery, exponentially increasing the quality of patient care across virtually every medical...
As a leading healthcare cybersecurity resource, Fortified Health Security makes staying on top of the latest industry trends and innovations a top priority. For us, attending relevant healthcare events and symposiums is about more than just finding new ways to network with both marketplace leaders and healthcare executives (although we...
IT security within the healthcare industry is currently facing a major staffing crisis. This cybersecurity talent shortage has delivered significant blows throughout virtually every vertical, but the healthcare sector has been hit especially hard. A 2017 report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted that the...
The landscape of cybersecurity is in constant flux. Hackers are continuously developing newer, smarter, and more sophisticated ways to infiltrate network security at companies on a global scale. For healthcare facilities, the increased threat of a cyber attack means ramping up security measures across the entire organization to protect the...
Technology enabled devices within the U.S. healthcare industry continue to grow at the speed-of-light. The emergence of IoT, telemedicine, e-clinical trials, and a myriad of other digital medical technologies are directly impacting how care is both delivered and received on a global basis. Great news, right? Yes and no. While...
Fortified Health Security announced that William Crank has joined its leadership team as chief operating officer (COO). Crank’s addition to the team will allow Fortified to effectively scale operations amid its continued growth.
If the thought of a cybersecurity breach to your bank is terrifying, imagine the fallout for a healthcare organization tasked with protecting the financial, personal and medical information of millions of patients.
Fortified releases a mid-year update to its annual healthcare cybersecurity Horizon Report that highlights the growing number of cybersecurity attacks hitting the healthcare industry in the form of phishing campaigns, ransomware attacks, and breaches initiated through email.
Fortified President Dan L. Dodson recently sat with Rod Piechowski of HIMSS to talk about healthcare cybersecurity risk mitigation, ROI and its impact on organizational culture.
Black Book Market Research LLC, a respected healthcare and public opinion research company, has ranked Fortified Health Security as the top cybersecurity services and solutions vendor in its medical device and internet of things (IoT) category.
Fortified's Dan L. Dodson comments on the FDA's Medical Device Security Plan in this Modern Healthcare article.
Download the FDA’s plan on protecting patients and promoting public health with the Medical Device Safety Action Plan. Download the full report here.
In this Beacon Health System cybersecurity case study, Fortified provided VTM, SIEM, DLP and a Connected Medical Device and IoT Security Program solutions.
The California Health Information Management Leaders' CHIA Journal publishes Fortified president Dan L. Dodson's "The Current State of Cybersecurity in Health Care".
Frost & Sullivan conducted an in-depth analysis of the healthcare cybersecurity market and named Fortified as the 2018 North American Healthcare Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Company of the Year.
Frost & Sullivan has recently recognized Fortified's industry leadership in visionary innovation & performance, and customer impact. Read the full report.
Download the January 2018 OCR report on Cyber Extortion. Download the full report here.
Read the full Frost & Sullivan report that named Fortified Health Security the 2018 Healthcare IoT Company of the Year. Download the full report here.
Fortified Health Security is profiled for its leadership in a new study "Securing the Connected Ecosystem: Leading Security Solutions and Approaches for IoT".
Fortified's President, Dan L. Dodson, was able to speak with the eHealth Radio Network in a 15 minute podcast interview.
Fortified's president Dan Dodson was quoted in the Cardiovascular Business article entitled Rethinking Resource Allocation: WannaCry Shakes up Health IT & Device Makers
Read Dan L. Dodson’s guest article for the the California Health Information Management Leaders March/April 2018 publication. Download the full report here.
Fortified partners with ZingBox, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) security solution provider, to launch its Connected Medical Device and IoT Security Program
Fort Healthcare experiences a greater than 50% reduction in critical and high vulnerabilities by collaborating with Fortified, and successfully defends against WannaCry. Read the case study.
The DHS has issued an advisory about Siemens medical device vulnerabilities. Be prepared with our Connected Medical Device & IoT Security Program.
Download the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force’s June 2017 Report on Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry. Download the full report here.
Fortified Health Security releases Healthcare Cybersecurity Mid-Year Horizon Report covering medical device security, ransomware attacks (WannaCry / Petya), and more.
A new variant of the WannaCry cryptovirus known as Petya or Petwrap is rapidly spreading.
Healthcare IT News reports that the Center for Children’s Digestive Health shared protected health info with FileFax, but didn't have a BAA in place. Protect your data with Fortified's Third Party Risk Management service.
News of the WannaCry virus has covered the globe. Here is what the healthcare industry needs to know and how to protect themselves.
OpSus Defend to meet the specific security and compliance requirements of hospitals and healthcare organizations
Fortified's Third Party Risk Management to provide hospitals and healthcare organizations with a solution to managing third-party risks associated with business associate vendor relationships.
Developed by healthcare and IT professionals, the HITRUST CSF is a certifiable framework utilized by HITRUST CSF Assessors to provide organizations with a comprehensive, flexible and efficient approach to regulatory compliance and risk management.
Our response to Healthcare Innovation News' Thought Leaders' Corner question, "What Healthcare Innovations Do You Expect in 2017?"
As seen in Healthcare Business Today, Fortified Health Security's Dan L. Dodson identifies five major cybersecurity trends in 2017 and steps to take today.
Today Fortified Health Security released its first annual Horizon Report. This extensive report details the current state of cybersecurity in healthcare, new and existing threats and predictions for 2017.
Fortified Health Security's Horizon Report: details about the current state of cybersecurity in healthcare, new and existing threats, and predictions for 2017.
Virtual Information Security Program (VISP) and Managed Data Loss Prevention (DLP) expand Fortified’s portfolio of healthcare security services
Ransomware! The word alone strikes fear in the hearts of CIOs, CISOs and hospital administrators alike. In this overview, learn what is ransomware, where it’s going, and what you can do to protect your organization. Download the full report here.
Ransomware! The word alone strikes fear in the hearts of CIOs, CISOs and hospital administrators alike. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is malicious software which blocks access to a computer system or data in some way until a sum of money is paid.
October 13-14, 2020 | Virtual
Month of October | Virtual
Beacon Health System A merger of two community hospitals led to a thriving regional medical center that needed to centralize its cybersecurity program, track data loss, and remediate vulnerabilities. Following deployment of DLP and VTM solutions, plus migration of the hospital’s existing SIEM into a fully managed solution, Beacon is...
King's Daughters Health System When recruiting a new CISO proved difficult, Fortified stepped in with its Virtual Information Security Program (VISP). Using a focused HIPAA risk analysis process, the combined team successfully bolstered the health system’s HIPAA security and compliance program. “Fortified’s VISP services worked very closely with our team...
Fort HealthCare Thanks to a comprehensive Virtual Information Security Program (VISP) developed with Fort HealthCare’s resource limitations in mind, the health system saw a 50% reduction in critical and high vulnerabilities within six months. “Fortified gives us confidence to know we adhere to the latest cybersecurity best practices. Their proactive...
