Change Healthcare, one of the major players in the healthcare industry was recently hit by a cyberattack that caused significant disruptions nationwide. Although critical patient care systems remain unaffected, the attack has had a ripple effect, creating significant obstacles for patients in accessing medications and jeopardizing the financial stability of organizations that rely on Change Healthcare’s platform.

The company is a crucial link between healthcare providers and insurance companies, facilitating the annual processing of billions of claims. However, the recent cyberattack has highlighted the risks associated with centralized platforms and third-party service providers. This incident emphasizes the need for greater vigilance and security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the healthcare ecosystem.

Government officials and industry leaders are working to minimize the impact on healthcare providers and patients. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has called for accelerated payments to affected providers, recognizing the situation’s urgency. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services is collaborating with UnitedHealth, Change Healthcare’s parent company, to minimize disruptions to patient care.

The healthcare industry requires vigorous cybersecurity measures to address the challenges faced during recovery, highlighting the need for stronger access controls, enhanced monitoring, and greater resilience against cyber threats.

To maintain the high standards of healthcare services and protect the reliability of our healthcare system, it is crucial to take preemptive actions and implement robust access governance policies and procedures. This involves regulating who can access specific systems and data within an organization to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive information.

It’s time for action to strengthen our cybersecurity measures to safeguard patient care and protect the integrity of our healthcare ecosystem.

Take decisive steps to fortify your defenses:

• Implement Access Governance: Establish and enforce policies that regulate access to sensitive systems and data. Ensure that only authorized personnel have access based on their roles and responsibilities.
• Enhance Application Controls: Adopt secure coding practices and promptly apply software updates and patches to mitigate vulnerabilities. Implement strong authentication and authorization mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access.
• Conduct Regular Access Reviews: Review and audit user access privileges regularly to ensure alignment with current roles and responsibilities. Promptly address any discrepancies or unauthorized access to strengthen security posture.
• Utilize Multi-Factor Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide additional verification before accessing sensitive data or systems.
• Monitor and Log Activities: Implement logging and monitoring capabilities to track user activities and detect suspicious behavior in real time. Respond promptly to security incidents to prevent potential damage.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue; it’s a patient safety issue. By prioritizing cybersecurity measures, healthcare providers can ensure that their patient’s safety and well-being are protected while maintaining the high standards of healthcare services.

SafePaaS enables healthcare organizations to:

• Enhance patient care through optimized workflows and data accessibility.
• Control costs by streamlining processes and reducing inefficiencies.
• Safeguard patient privacy and compliance with access governance.
• Improve patient satisfaction and ensure data security.
• Foster collaboration and efficiency with secure information exchange.
• Control third-party access risk.

Are you ready to elevate your security standards with SafePaaS? Join us in safeguarding patient safety and organizational integrity.