Protecting Rural Hospitals: A Cybersecurity Imperative

Cyberthreats such as ransomware attacks are not just data-theft or financial crimes, but they also pose a threat to life. They are designed to shut down vital systems and cause maximum delay and disruption to patient care. The impact of these attacks, known as the "ransomware blast radius," is especially significant for rural hospitals. Approximately 60 million people living in rural areas depend on their hospital as an important and often the primary source of care in their communities. Yet rural hospitals' limited access to technology, staff, and financial resources constrains their ability to defend against these malicious actors. They cannot do it alone.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is collaborating with multiple parties across the public and private sectors to support rural hospitals with cybersecurity risk mitigation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has outlined key cybersecurity performance goals (CPGs) to help organizations better prepare for and mitigate cyberthreats. However, rural hospitals often have limited resources and staff to achieve these benchmarks.

In late spring 2024, the AHA and Microsoft partnered to launch the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals. This program includes free cybersecurity training for front-line workers and health care IT professionals. Depending on the hospital's rural status, it may be eligible for all or some of the following powerful program elements:

* Free curated learning pathways and resources

* Free cybersecurity risk assessments

* One year of free Windows 10 extended security updates

* Microsoft product discounts and offers, including nonprofit pricing for independent critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals

The AHA appreciates Microsoft's commitment to supporting the unique cybersecurity needs of critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and rural hospitals within a health system. By providing these resources and support, Microsoft is helping rural hospitals better protect their patients and operations from cybersecurity attacks.

In conclusion, protecting rural hospitals from cyberthreats is a vital imperative. Through collaboration and support from organizations like the AHA and Microsoft, rural hospitals can enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and better protect their patients and communities from the devastating impact of ransomware attacks.