The initial 100 days of the anticipated Trump administration and new Congress are poised to serve as a pivotal period for the healthcare industry, particularly concerning cybersecurity and privacy-related regulatory matters. According to Chelsea Arnone and Cassie Ballard of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), this timeframe will likely set the tone for the next four years, guiding how the sector grapples with evolving threats and regulatory environments.
As the political landscape shifts, Arnone emphasizes the necessity for healthcare organizations to remain vigilant regarding potential changes in cybersecurity and privacy regulations. “While new challenges may arise, there are also opportunities,” she noted in an interview with Information Security Media Group. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be prepared to adapt to these developments.
Significant policymaking from Congress and the new administration is expected to be largely influenced by recent major cybersecurity incidents, including the Change Healthcare ransomware attack. This attack has left many in the healthcare sector unsettled, and as Ballard pointed out, the reactive nature of lawmakers often heightens the risk of future incidents.
In a detailed discussion, Arnone and Ballard addressed several critical topics during their interview. They debated the prospects for regulations and legislative initiatives that may emerge in 2024, including an update to the HIPAA security rule and President Biden’s executive order on artificial intelligence. The significant ramifications of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on the healthcare domain were also explored, underscoring the persistent vulnerabilities within the sector.
Healthcare organizations will need to be particularly mindful of the regulatory landscape as it evolves, with scrutiny expected on healthcare cybersecurity issues moving forward. The leaders at CHIME know firsthand the implications that shifts in policy can have on healthcare delivery and technology, given their professional backgrounds. Ballard, who heads congressional affairs at CHIME, has substantial experience advocating for healthcare legislative initiatives, having previously worked as a legislative assistant.
Arnone, who directs federal affairs at CHIME, has a wealth of experience in healthcare policy, focusing on various issues including telehealth, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Her expertise positions her to effectively represent the interests of healthcare IT leaders at the federal level, navigating complex regulatory challenges.
As these developments unfold, stakeholders in the healthcare sector should be attuned to potential adversary tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Techniques such as initial access and persistence could center on exploiting known vulnerabilities or using social engineering to infiltrate systems. Understanding these tactics will be essential for healthcare organizations aiming to bolster their cybersecurity defenses in light of ongoing threats and the evolving regulatory landscape.
