INSIGHTS FOR HEALTH CARE 

MARCH 10, 2016   
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Health Care News Network (HCNN), is published on an as-needed basis to keep you informed of current news impacting health care organizations.
 

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California Hospital Ransomware Incident: A Harsh Reminder of the Importance of IT Security!

By: Jon Ault
 
With increasing demands to deliver higher quality care and lower costs, it is easy to forget about the risks your organization faces trying to protect patient information. Recent events at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center serve as a high profile reminder of the importance of IT security in health care.  As a result of this ransomware attack, files were locked and electronic communications were prevented-causing serious disruption to hospital systems for several weeks. After contacting law enforcement, the hospital eventually agreed to pay a ransom of 40 Bitcoins (untraceable cryptocurrency equivalent to $17,000) in return for the encryption key which was deemed to be the most efficient means to restore its systems.
 
What are the risks and what should you do? 



  Jon Ault  

Jon Ault
Technology Consulting, Sr. Manager
701.476.8913
jault@eidebailly.com 

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