Strong Warning Issued to Hospitals by HHS About EHR Security

Last year, the Department of Health & Human Services issued a strong warning to U.S. hospitals, highlighting the growing cyber threats to healthcare. The Federal agency's report on hospital cyber resiliency noted that the widespread adoption of health information technology, driven by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the 21st Century Cures Act, has expanded the healthcare industry's vulnerability to cyberattacks.

"Directly targeted ransomware attacks aimed to disrupt clinical operations are an outsized and growing cyber threat to hospitals," HHS emphasized. "Ransomware is currently the largest threat to this sector and deserves immediate attention-especially considering the impact the nonavailability of services can have on patient care and safety."

Ransomware attacks are often combined with the theft of sensitive patient data. According to the HHS Cybersecurity Program, electronic health records (EHRs) are prime targets for cyberattacks because they contain valuable protected health information (PHI) such as names, social security numbers, geographic data, and biometrics. This data is highly profitable for cybercriminals and difficult to secure once exposed.

The financial consequences of these attacks can be severe. According to IBM's 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, healthcare breaches cost organizations an average of $9.77 million. One example is the recent ransomware settlement involving Heritage Valley Health System, where the Office for Civil Rights imposed a $950,000 fine and required a corrective action plan. Incidents like this underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent breaches and reduce risks.

"The shift to the cloud has gained momentum because it reduces technical debt and improves security," says Jaimie Fox, Senior Technology Strategist at Microsoft. "Cloud providers offer far greater security than individual hospitals, allowing healthcare providers and EHR vendors to securely move infrastructure while focusing on innovation and efficiency."

Many healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the necessity to take advantage of the cloud's advantages over traditional infrastructure. However, this shift raises a critical question: How can healthcare organizations protect mission-critical systems from cyber threats while ensuring they remain operational for patient care?

Enhancing EHR Security in the Cloud

With growing cyber threats to EHR systems, healthcare organizations must adopt proven strategies for cyber resilience. Key methods include leveraging cloud-based security infrastructure, comprehensive risk mitigation, and integrating AI into security workflows to enhance readiness against attacks.

With limited cybersecurity personnel, healthcare organizations have an opportunity to use the cloud to bolster their cybersecurity posture as well as address technical debt that plagues the majority of U.S. hospitals. While complying with federal, state, and local regulations is crucial, mitigating cybersecurity risks goes beyond just meeting compliance standards.

"In cyber resilience, protecting data availability is as critical as ensuring its confidentiality and integrity," says David Houlding, Microsoft's Director of Global Healthcare Security and Compliance Strategy. "Healthcare organizations must also defend against breaches, insider threats, and third-party risks, which can cause severe disruptions, including system shutdowns."

The cloud's flexibility and scalability enable the rapid integration of advanced, data-intensive technologies that help healthcare cybersecurity professionals strengthen security and empower clinicians to apply cutting-edge tools to patient care.

"AI capabilities, which enhance productivity and reduce costs in EHR systems, are only achievable in a cloud environment," notes Fox. "Traditional on-premises systems cannot support these advanced AI functions, limiting innovation and cutting-edge solutions in clinical care."

AI can also revolutionize healthcare cybersecurity by quickly identifying and responding to potential threats to data, systems, and applications.

"With AI, security analysts can detect and respond to sophisticated attacks, such as phishing and spear phishing, which are now becoming more widespread and cheaper to execute due to attackers also using AI-driven automation," says Houlding. "Additionally, AI can provide real-time guidance, helping security teams improve their skills on the job, making them better equipped to handle the rapidly evolving threat landscape."

As healthcare organizations transition to the cloud, balancing innovation with security is essential.

Choosing the Right Cyber Resilience Partner

By leveraging cloud-based security and AI-driven protections, healthcare providers can safeguard critical systems while driving clinical innovations in patient care.

"Commvault is a trusted Microsoft partner and a key partner for healthcare organizations seeking true cloud cyber resilience on Azure. They have an unmatched track record, and as you've heard from our colleagues, their value proposition is unique and industry-leading, says Karen Cox, Global Healthcare Partner Strategy Leader at Microsoft.

"Commvault is a leader and early participant in the Microsoft Copilot for Security Partner Program, using the latest technology to protect enterprises," she continues. "Their solutions are fully integrated with Microsoft security, co-engineered with Microsoft, and adhere to Azure Protection Services standards. This makes Commvault an ideal partner for safeguarding healthcare applications and data, whether in the cloud or a hybrid environment."

Healthcare organizations can strengthen their recovery strategies against EHR attacks by leveraging Commvault Cleanroom Recovery, the only solution validated by the Enterprise Strategy Group for ensuring recovery into a guaranteed clean environment. With ransomware posing a top threat, a secure and auditable recovery plan is essential for resuming operations quickly and safely.

By using Commvault's advanced cyber resilience platform, healthcare organizations can recover quickly and safely without the risk of reinfection, protecting patient data and ensuring long-term operational security.

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