Health care providers and insurers are bracing for new regulations and standards following a cyberattack on a payments processing company. The attack, which targeted Change Healthcare, disrupted pharmacy and hospital payments nationwide. Since then, policymakers and lobbyists have been working to develop strategies to prevent future attacks.
These strategies include linking federal aid to minimum cybersecurity requirements and establishing new voluntary standards through public-private partnerships. Critics argue that federal regulators were not adequately prepared for the attack and should have taken prompt action to prevent further damage.
Lawmakers are now pushing for mandatory cybersecurity standards for the health care industry, including regular audits to ensure compliance. The incident has brought attention to the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare and the need for stronger measures to protect sensitive data.
The aftermath of the Change Healthcare attack has led some health care providers and insurers to reevaluate their IT security measures. Others are investing in additional training for employees on how to recognize and respond to potential threats. Some vendors selling essential IT services are also rethinking their offerings, with many now focusing more heavily on cybersecurity solutions.
Overall, the incident has highlighted the critical role that technology plays in healthcare delivery and the need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect it. As policymakers continue to develop new regulations and standards, it is likely that we will see more investment in this area in the coming years.
