Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

HHS Task Force Report: Healthcare Cybersecurity is in Critical Condition

Healthcare Informatics: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force, which was formed last year following passage of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, issued its final report to Congress June 2 with a number of recommendations to improve cybersecurity across the industry.

The report states that “healthcare cybersecurity is in critical condition,” citing a severe lack of security talent, legacy equipment that runs on old, unsupported and vulnerable operating systems, vulnerabilities that impact patient care and an epidemic of known vulnerabilities. The report, developed by Task Force members comprised of government and private industry leaders, also cited “premature and over-connectivity” as an issue contributing to the critical state of cybersecurity. “Meaningful Use requirements drove hyper-connectivity without secure design and implementation,” the report authors wrote.

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