HITEQ Health Center Cybersecurity Defender Against the Dark Web

Health Centers are being inundated by an unprecedented surge in cybersecurity incidents that are having detrimental effects on healthcare worldwide. New, sophisticated threats seem to appear on a daily basis. Most importantly, these threats are primarily being targeted and spread through end users (vs health IT systems) through social engineering and phishing attack methods. 

Healthcare cybersecurity is the ultimate team sport. The responsibility goes beyond the IT staff and includes front and back office staff, doctors and nurses, patients, executives, and the board of directors. These resources are directed at all levels of the healthcare organization so that they may be proactive and aware and help to defend Health Centers against the Dark Web.

Take some time to read through some of the articles on this page and then fill out the submission form on the right and you will be rewarded with a Health Center Defender Against the Dark Web badge! This is an official badge that is submitted by the HITEQ Center as a proof of completion to the blockchain. Your credentials can be added to profiles such as LinkedIn and verified through accreditation services such as Accredible and Open Badge.

 

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...

Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights

From the OCR: The Privacy Rule protects individually identifiable health information from unauthorized or impermissible uses and disclosures. The Rule is carefully designed to protect the privacy of health information, while allowing important health care communications to occur. These pages address the release of protected health information for planning or response activities in emergency situations.  In addition, please view the Civil Rights Emergency Preparedness page...

Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights

From the OCR: Severe disasters – such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria – impose additional challenges on health care providers. Often questions arise about the ability of entities covered by the HIPAA regulations to share information, including with friends and family, public health officials, and emergency personnel. As summarized in more detail below, the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows patient information to be shared to assist in disaster relief efforts, and to assist patients...

Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has recently announced the release of a new set of FAQs that seeks to address whether business associates of a HIPAA covered entity may block or terminate access by the covered entity to the protected health information maintained by the business associate for or on behalf of the covered entity.

Health Center Defender Against the Dark Web Badge Confirmation