Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024: A Strategic Leap Toward Data Protection
The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024 was introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in response to escalating cyber threats targeting the healthcare sector. The bill emerged from a bipartisan working group formed in 2023, recognizing the urgent need to fortify healthcare institutions against ransomware, data breaches, and operational disruptions. With healthcare increasingly digitized, the legislation aims to modernize cybersecurity standards and ensure patient data is protected across all care settings. The bill mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to update the HIPAA Security Rule, introducing baseline cybersecurity standards for covered entities and business associates. These include multi-factor authentication, data encryption, regular security audits, and penetration testing. It also requires HHS to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity incident response plan, ensuring...