Approximately 350 of around 1,800 small and rural hospitals in the United States are taking advantage of free or low-cost cybersecurity resources provided by private sector firms, an initiative supported by the White House. Deputy National Cyber Director Anne Neuberger shared this update at the 2024 Billington Cyber Summit, noting that Microsoft and Google made these initial commitments in June. This effort aims to strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of smaller healthcare facilities that often have limited resources for digital security.
Microsoft’s contributions include grants and up to 75% discounts on its cybersecurity products for qualifying small and rural hospitals, along with a free one-year trial of its most advanced security suite for certain institutions. The company is also offering complimentary cybersecurity assessments and training sessions for hospital staff, enhancing the ability of these facilities to guard against potential cyberattacks. This support is targeted at hospitals with limited security budgets, ensuring they can access advanced protection typically reserved for larger entities.
Google, meanwhile, committed to providing free endpoint security consulting and created a funding pool to aid hospitals with essential software migration. Google also launched a pilot program to help these hospitals customize security solutions suited to their unique infrastructure and needs, recognizing that rural hospitals face specific cybersecurity challenges. These measures aim to address the heightened risks faced by these facilities, which are often located more than 35 miles from other healthcare providers, making any service disruption particularly detrimental for local patients.
The emphasis on rural healthcare cybersecurity follows a significant ransomware attack in February that impacted UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit, causing widespread disruption across the US healthcare system. The event underscored how a single cyber incident can ripple through numerous facilities, affecting patient access and safety. Healthcare data remains a prime target for cybercriminals due to its sensitive nature and potential resale value, fueling ongoing concerns as the sector continues to see a sharp rise in cyberattacks.
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