A Case Study of the Family Health Center of Worcester’s Ransomware Incident, February 2024
The use of ransomware — malicious software that restricts access to computer systems with financial demands — has escalated, targeting health centers and putting countless lives at risk. This dire reality came to the forefront during the alarming ransomware attack on the Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. (FHCW), where the personal health information and care continuity for thousands of patients were compromised. This resource uses FHCW's experience as a case study to demonstrate the imperative of preparedness and the strength of a community-centered response in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services amidst the ever-growing tide of cyber vulnerabilities.
Session 1: Strategic Investments in Cybersecurity for Health Centers in 2021 and Beyond
This two session roundtable series brought together CIOs, CISOs, and other IT leadership from health centers to discuss strategic investments in cybersecurity, including those that can leverage recent ARP funding but sustain beyond the coming years. Participants had the opportunity to connect with each other and subject matter experts about implementation, considerations, and the future of cybersecurity and data protection in health centers.
Session 2: Strategic Investments in Cybersecurity for Health Centers in 2021 and Beyond
This two session roundtable series brought together CIOs, CISOs, and other IT leadership from health centers to discuss strategic investments in cybersecurity, including those that can leverage recent ARP funding but sustain beyond the coming years. Participants had the opportunity to connect with each other and subject matter experts about implementation, considerations, and the future of cybersecurity and data protection in health centers.
Published June 2020
This printable PDF checklist provides a guide for health center staff to mitigate cybersecurity risks and threats during times of emergency and incident response that have them working remotely from the health center.
Best Practices for Health Center Staff Working Remotely
The number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the United States, requiring more and more of our health systems to rely on employees working from home at times. While some of us are required to "shelter-in-place," unfortunately that shelter can create increased risks such as cyber security breaches.