HIMSSCast: Cybersecurity often takes a back seat to clinical priorities at rural hospitals

Rural hospitals are facing cybersecurity challenges and need immediate assistance following cyberattacks, according to Kate Pierce, Fortified Health Security’s senior virtual information security officer. Money and staffing are the biggest challenges, and Pierce has requested the establishment of a cyber security relief fund to help these hospitals. Rural hospitals are more vulnerable to cyberattacks and have a harder time diverting patients to other hospitals if systems go down.