North Charlotte Today

Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have introduced a new bill called the Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Care Act. The legislation aims to ensure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) consistently evaluates its cybersecurity systems and reports their findings to Congress. This is in response to the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks against healthcare systems, including the HHS.

In a statement, Senator Tillis expressed his concerns about the data breaches experienced by North Carolinians, particularly when it comes to sensitive health information. He emphasized the importance of protecting personal health data from harmful cybersecurity attacks. Tillis said, "Americans shouldn't have to worry about harmful cybersecurity attacks, and this legislation ensures any personal health data stored by the Department of Health and Human Services is properly secured and protected."

The need for this legislation is evident as reports reveal an exponential increase in cybersecurity attacks targeting healthcare systems nationwide. In 2023 alone, approximately 133 million individuals had their health data breached, including Medicare beneficiary data, social security numbers, and medical records. With HHS being responsible for safeguarding Americans' personal health information, it is crucial that the agency is equipped to combat the latest hacking strategies.

The full text of the Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Care Act can be found on the official website.

This bill seeks to address the growing concern of cyber threats and protect the privacy and security of individuals' health data. By mandating consistent evaluations of HHS cybersecurity systems and reporting the findings to Congress, this legislation aims to ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent and mitigate cyber attacks on healthcare systems.

Protecting sensitive health information is of utmost importance, and this bill takes a step towards addressing the vulnerabilities within the healthcare sector. With the increasing reliance on technology in the healthcare industry, it is crucial to have robust cybersecurity measures in place to safeguard patient data.

As the bill moves forward, it will be crucial for lawmakers and stakeholders to collaborate and address any potential challenges. The protection of health care data from cyber attacks is a shared responsibility that requires constant vigilance and proactive measures.

In conclusion, Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have introduced the Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Care Act to ensure that personal health data stored by the Department of Health and Human Services is properly secured and protected from cybersecurity attacks. This legislation aims to address the exponential increase in cyber attacks on healthcare systems and protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information.