Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Regional resiliency in healthcare IT is crucial for responding to cyberattacks.
- Partnerships and collaboration among regional healthcare providers are key for effective response.
Planning for Healthcare IT Resiliency on a Regional Basis focuses on the need for healthcare organizations to prepare for cyberattacks that could disrupt the regional supply chain of healthcare services. Margie Zuk of Mitre emphasizes the importance of preparing not only for internal resiliency but also for regional impact, especially in scenarios where neighboring healthcare providers may be affected. For hospitals and healthcare facilities, this resilience involves preparing for ransomware attacks and rehearsing incident response strategies. Building regional partnerships and enhancing communication among providers are crucial elements for effective response.
During an interview at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society 2024 conference, Zuk highlighted the need for regional partnerships in dealing with cyberattacks. She also emphasized the challenges involved in transitioning from manual processes back to automated digital operations after an attack. Zuk has over 35 years of cybersecurity experience and leads Mitre’s engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on medical device cybersecurity.
Overall, the article underscores the importance of collaboration and resilience in healthcare IT to ensure a rapid and effective response to cyber incidents that could impact patient safety and healthcare services in a given region.
