https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/cybersecurity Cybersecurity for Rural Healthcare Facilities resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://aspr.hhs.gov/RISC/Pages/default.aspx Offers a data-driven all-hazards risk assessment toolkit with self-assessment modules for healthcare and public health organizations, including those in rural areas, to enhance their ability to identify threats and hazards, perform risk management activities, assess vulnerabilities, and improve their security and resilience. Includes a specific cybersecurity module that focuses on the cybersecurity strength of an organization, also known as cyber risk posture, and offers guidance on related policies, controls, and practices. -- Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27548 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:19:27 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6495 Technical assistance for drinking water and wastewater systems and state agencies to enhance resilience against cyber attacks. -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6495 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:45:28 -0600 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycS6rO-ts5Q A recorded webinar focused on cybersecurity in rural communities. Discusses strategies and programs that help to innovate and strengthen rural cybersecurity. Transcript available below description. -- National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26866 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:48:20 -0600 https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2025/10/AHA-CLEAR-Strategies-for-Cyber-Preparedness.pdf A set of practical strategies to help healthcare organizations prepare for and manage cybersecurity risks. Covers cybersecurity as a core aspect of enterprise risk management, how to prepare the workforce, planning for clinical continuity, third-party risk assessment, and regional planning and collaboration. -- American Hospital Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26711 Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:58:24 -0600 https://www.aha.org/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-10-21-2025-cybersecurity-year-review-part-two-mitigating-third-party-risk-ensuring-clinical Explains steps healthcare organizations should take to address cybersecurity risks. Discusses the need to prepare for interruption to services of 30 days or longer and the importance of focusing on clinical continuity. Also provides examples of how AI is being used in cyberattacks. -- American Hospital Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26645 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:47:18 -0500 https://www.aha.org/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-10-07-2025-cybersecurity-year-review-part-one-breaches-and-defensive-measures Provides an overview of cybersecurity issues currently impacting the healthcare field. Describes recent patterns in reported cyberattacks and identifies cybersecurity practices for prevention and mitigation. Discusses the need for healthcare facilities to understand their cyber risk exposure. -- American Hospital Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26552 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:04:52 -0500 https://healthsectorcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/HIC-SMART-1.pdf Provides templates and methodologies for healthcare providers, insurance plans, and manufacturers to map and identify systemic cybersecurity risks posed by third party technology, software, and communications services. Includes considerations for small and rural healthcare organizations. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26536 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:51:16 -0500 https://hhscyber.hhs.gov/ Lists healthcare and public health cybersecurity performance goals and identifies cybersecurity information and resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25222 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:02:38 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/alaska-hospital-cybersecurity Provides an overview of cybersecurity threats and challenges faced by rural healthcare facilities. Describes how the IT staff at the South Peninsula Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Alaska, safeguards their hospital's data. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/8381 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:41:19 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6156 Technical assistance for rural communities to help examine barriers and identify solutions to enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure to improve the delivery of rural emergency medical services. -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6156 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:16:11 -0600 https://www.aha.org/cybersecurity/insights-resources-rural-hospitals Resources and information to help rural hospitals with cybersecurity risk mitigation. -- American Hospital Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24544 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:04:11 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6344 Offers eligible rural healthcare organizations access to technology, consulting and support services, and security training resources at a discount or no cost for the purpose of strengthening resilience to cyberattacks. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6344 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:04:38 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6343 Assistance to help rural hospitals and other rural facilities keep their health services safe and secure with affordable access to Microsoft security solutions, artificial intelligence, and building cybersecurity capacity. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6343 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:00:34 -0600 https://healthit.gov/privacy-security/security-risk-assessment-tool/ A tool for medium and small healthcare providers that guides them through conducting a security risk assessment as required by the HIPAA Security Rule. The risk assessment will help identify areas where protected health information could be at risk. -- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24494 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:33 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6338 Funding for security enhancements and activities for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6338 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:06:54 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/4958 A rural hospital leadership and certification program for current and future rural hospital CEOs. -- National Rural Health Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/4958 Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:21:28 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3745 Provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of a consortium or a stand-alone entity. -- Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Administrative Company https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3745 Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:15:33 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/emergency-preparedness Resources and strategies to support rural emergency planning, response, and recovery. Includes detailed case studies, and discusses cross-cutting issues, specific types of disasters, funding, and more. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/19680 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:21:13 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/emergency-preparedness Discusses how rural healthcare facilities can prepare for natural and man-made disasters, the need for flexibility, and the importance of learning from others' experiences. Includes examples of rural communities and providers responding to a tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/12127 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:15:48 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/commhit Features a Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network grantee, CommHIT, that is assisting Florida partners with workforce development initiatives. Describes its workforce development efforts focused on community health workers (CHWs) and community paramedics, as well as cybersecurity and other technology-related trainings. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22627 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:15:27 -0500 https://405d.hhs.gov/Documents/HICP-Main-508.pdf Offers cybersecurity guidelines for healthcare organizations to help reduce cybersecurity risks. Outlines the top five cybersecurity threats, and discusses best practices to combat these threats. Technical Volume 1 discusses cybersecurity practices for small healthcare organizations. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/21406 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:11:50 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/cybersecurity-attacks Discusses the impact cyber-attacks can have on rural healthcare facilities. Features two Critical Access Hospital leaders describing attacks at their organizations. Shares insights from an information technology compliance expert, including actions organizations can take to protect themselves. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/21620 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:11:33 -0500 https://rhrc.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Understanding-the-Rise-of-Ransomware-Attacks-on-Rural-Hospitals-2024April-2025-Revised.pdf Explores trends in ransomware attacks on rural hospitals between 2016 and 2021 by analyzing data from the Tracking Healthcare Ransomware Events and Traits (THREAT) database. Describes the types of rural hospitals that experienced ransomware attacks during this period. Compares the frequency of hospitals' operational disruptions during attacks by urban and rural location. -- University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23465 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:09:49 -0500 https://405d.hhs.gov/Documents/405d-hospital-resiliency-analysis.pdf Report evaluating current capabilities and preparedness for cybersecurity resiliency in hospitals. Discusses the growing threat of cyber attacks, cybersecurity practices adoption, outdated technology, cybersecurity insurance costs, cybersecurity workforce challenges, and more. Discusses rural throughout. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22710 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:09:08 -0500 https://www.ruralhealth.us/getmedia/ad0774a2-49b4-4f9a-b2c5-2edf0eaf6bcf/2024-NRHA-Cybersecurity-Rural-Health-policy-brief.pdf Policy position paper discussing the importance of increasing cybersecurity measures across rural healthcare facilities and organizations. Highlights challenges rural providers face in achieving adequate cybersecurity protections, preparedness, and response. Offers federal and state policy recommendations to support and enhance cybersecurity in rural healthcare settings. -- National Rural Health Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22529 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:08:54 -0500 https://www.ruralcenter.org/resources/cybersecurity-toolkit-rural-hospitals-and-clinics Describes 4 steps to help rural clinics and hospitals develop and maintain cybersecurity programs: awareness, assessment, implementation and remediation, and education. Includes a list of resources, checklists, and tools appropriate for all users. -- National Rural Health Resource Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/10139 Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:34:10 -0500