Privacy & Security

This week's top stories include a class-action lawsuit alleging Aetna doesn't provide equal access to fertility treatments, and healthcare IT decision-makers saying their organizations are at risk of security threats due to skills gaps.

The agency also extended its statement to health apps, noting that there are still too few privacy protections for them.

New research shows that 40% of staff are missing cyber security expertise while 39% lack essential data protection knowledge. 

"We urge readers to immediately update all Apple devices," said cybersecurity researchers who discovered the flaw.

The health center's CIO was especially concerned with the conundrum of third-party vendor access, which he says is now solved.

Although the group claims to not target hospitals, HC3 says healthcare organizations should still be on alert.

An independent researcher has demonstrated the app's weakness by faking his own certificate.

Boston Scientific, Smiths Medical, Optum, Medtronic and Abbott Laboratories are funding the bulk of the activities at the University of Minnesota's new center.

The advisory CISO at Akamai has some advice for IT and cybersecurity leaders – strategies to prepare for, and respond to, ransomware strikes.

Even with fewer resources, experts say these processes and best practices can help rural and critical access hospitals strengthen their IT systems and protect patient safety.