New program will deal with exponential progress in assaults threatening entry to take care of People and convey enterprise-quality cybersecurity to probably the most weak rural hospitals
REDMOND, Wash. — June 10, 2024 — On Monday, Microsoft Corp. introduced a brand new cybersecurity program to help hospitals serving greater than 60 million folks residing in rural America. In 2023, the well being care sector reported extra ransomware assaults than another vital infrastructure sector, and assaults involving ransomware in opposition to the healthcare sector have been up practically 130%. Cybersecurity assaults disrupt well being care operations throughout the nation and pose a direct risk to affected person care and important operations of hospitals. In rural communities these assaults could be devastating, notably to smaller, unbiased Crucial Entry and Rural Emergency hospitals with restricted means to forestall and remediate safety dangers and sometimes the one healthcare possibility for a lot of miles within the communities they serve.
In line with the Nationwide Rural Well being Affiliation, rural well being clinics are one of many high targets for cyberattacks. The brand new Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals is designed to help the distinctive cybersecurity wants of those organizations and can ship free and low-cost expertise companies for these hospitals, together with free coaching and help.
“Healthcare needs to be out there irrespective of the place you name dwelling, and the rise in cyberattacks threatens the viability of rural hospitals and impression communities throughout the U.S.,” stated Justin Spelhaug, company vice chairman, Microsoft Philanthropies. “Microsoft is dedicated to delivering very important expertise safety and help at a time when these rural hospitals want them most.”
For unbiased Crucial Entry Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals, Microsoft will present nonprofit pricing and reductions for its safety merchandise optimized for smaller organizations, offering as much as a 75% low cost. And for some bigger rural hospitals already utilizing eligible Microsoft options, the corporate will probably be offering its most superior safety suite without charge for one 12 months. As a part of the brand new program, the corporate can also be offering Home windows 10 safety updates to taking part rural hospitals for at the very least one 12 months at no extra price. Microsoft may even present free cybersecurity assessments via Microsoft and its trusted companions to guage dangers and gaps and provide free cybersecurity coaching to employees in rural hospitals to assist them higher handle the day-to-day safety of their programs.
Immediately’s information was introduced in shut collaboration with The White Home, the American Hospital Affiliation and the Nationwide Rural Well being Affiliation. Microsoft will work with all three establishments on the rollout, adoption and effectiveness of this system.
“Cyber-attacks in opposition to the U.S. healthcare programs rose 130% in 2023, forcing hospitals to cancel procedures and impacting People’ entry to vital care. Rural hospitals are notably laborious hit as they’re usually the only real supply of take care of the communities they serve and lack skilled cyber employees and trendy cyber defenses. President Biden is dedicated to each American gaining access to the care they want, and efficient cybersecurity is part of that. So, we’re excited to work with Microsoft to launch cybersecurity applications that may present coaching, recommendation and expertise to assist America’s rural hospitals be secure on-line” stated Anne Neuberger, Deputy Nationwide Safety Advisory for Cyber and Rising Applied sciences.
Immediately’s announcement is one a part of Microsoft’s work in communities throughout the USA and around the globe to enhance healthcare for these residing in rural areas. By way of the AI for Well being program, Microsoft is working with nonprofits, researchers and organizations engaged on international well being challenges to make advances in telemedicine and enhance scientific decision- making and prediction. Microsoft can also be working with rural hospital leaders to quickly carry AI options to market to satisfy their distinctive wants.
“Hospitals and well being programs have invested important assets to protect in opposition to cyberattacks, however they will’t do it alone. Cybersecurity is a shared accountability, and these investments from Microsoft assist reinforce that,” stated Rick Pollack, president and CEO, the American Hospital Affiliation. “Rural hospitals are sometimes the first supply of healthcare of their communities, so maintaining them open and secure from cyberattacks is vital. We respect Microsoft stepping ahead to supply its experience and assets to assist safe a part of America’s healthcare security web.”
“Rural hospitals face a singular problem in cybersecurity, balancing restricted assets with the rising sophistication of cyberthreats, which places affected person information and demanding healthcare infrastructure in danger,” stated Alan Morgan, chief govt officer of NRHA. “This vital partnership with Microsoft will assist make sure that rural hospitals are ready sooner or later to satisfy this rising risk in small rural amenities.”
Along with the safety program for rural hospitals, Microsoft is working with group schools to ship the Cybersecurity Expertise Initiative and thru the TechSpark program to drive expertise and cybersecurity job creation in partnership with native organizations. By way of the Microsoft Airband initiative, the corporate collaborates with public, non-public and nonprofit organizations to carry high-speed web entry to rural communities throughout America and construct the digital infrastructure required for web entry and adoption.
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals in the USA is instantly out there. To be taught extra and register for this system, please go to https://aka.ms/Microsoft_Security_Rural_Hospitals.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and instruments powered by AI to ship progressive options that meet the evolving wants of our clients. The expertise firm is dedicated to creating AI out there broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower each individual and each group on the planet to attain extra.
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Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications, (425) 638-7777, rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com
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