DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Now more than ever, investing in cybersecurity is a major priority in several industries including healthcare.
“It is a very structured business in cybercrime,” Ryan Allen, Chief Information Security Officer with UAB Health System, said.
Cybersecurity breaches can have costly consequences for patients.
“It is not just the bad guys getting your data. Because they will make money by that and sell it, commit identity theft, and things like that,” Allen said.
The consequences also extend to hospitals, especially in rural areas.
“The real money is made by shutting down your systems, knowing that as a hospital you can’t afford to be down for very long and you are going to pay that ransom,” Allen said.
Through a partnership, Dr. Marnix Heersink of Eye Center South and the UAB Health System are working to enhance cybersecurity at area hospitals.
“We know there are threats that can be damaging to our economy, to our patients, and our entire world. The fact that UAB is committing to come here and do some cyber security training is very significant,” Dr. Heersink said.
Several interns traveled to Dothan from Birmingham to receive training from tw-Security.
They will learn the ins and outs of performing required HIPAA risk assessments.
“There is a shortage of cybersecurity professionals everywhere not just in healthcare,” Allen said.
However, the shortage in healthcare, especially in rural areas is significant.
“If they don’t have the people and technology to protect themselves, and they don’t know where to start, it makes it very difficult. For them, it is a completely different threat than it is for a large healthcare system and we want to help protect them from that,” Allen said.
UAB will provide these HIPAA risk assessments for area hospitals at a fraction of the cost saving those hospitals money while getting interns much-needed experience.
Dr. Heersink says strengthening connections with UAB for programs like this in the Wiregrass will improve the lives of the community.
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