CareFirst attack reminder of cyber risks facing health care

A cyber attack against a database at health insurer CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield serves as another potent reminder to hospitals and other health care organizations of the importance of ongoing initiatives to prevent and protect against cybersecurity risks. In an announcement yesterday, the insurer said a cybersecurity firm determined that in June 2014 cyber attackers gained access to data that about 1.1 million members and others use to access its websites and online services, potentially including user names, member names, birth dates, email addresses and subscriber identification numbers. For more on the cyber attack, visit www.carefirstanswers.com. Hospitals are encouraged to review cybersecurity resources on AHA’s website at www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/cybersecurity.shtml.