GAO: HHS Needs to Improve Cybersecurity Info-Sharing Efforts
Healthcare Info Security
Marianne Kolbasuk McGee
The Department of Health and Human Services must improve collaboration among several of its key internal entities, as well as with external partners, in order to bolster cybersecurity threat intelligence sharing in the healthcare and public health sector, says a watchdog agency report.
The Government Accountability Office, in a report issued Monday, says it conducted its study because HHS and the healthcare and public health sector "rely heavily on information systems to fulfill their missions," including delivering healthcare-related services and responding to national health emergencies, such as COVID-19.
"Any disruption in the systems used by HHS and healthcare sector organizations could be catastrophic for the many Americans who rely on their services," the GAO notes.
"For example, a cyberattack...