Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Bill
Official: Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
This bill focuses on developing a plan to enhance cybersecurity in rural hospitals by creating a skilled workforce. It is important because rural hospitals often lack the resources to protect against cyber threats.
Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a workforce development strategy to address the need for cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. Among other topics, the strategy must consider (1) partnerships between rural hospitals, hospitals that are not rural hospitals, educational institutions, and private nonprofit or for-profit entities; and (2) the development of a cybersecurity curriculum for use in rural educational institutions. HHS must annually brief Congress on the strategy and any programs or initiatives established thereunder. Additionally, HHS must disseminate free materials that rural hospitals may use to train staff about cybersecurity.
1. This bill requires a strategy to improve cybersecurity in rural hospitals. 2. It aims to create a skilled workforce for cybersecurity in these facilities. 3. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must develop this strategy within one year. 4. The strategy will include partnerships with educational institutions for training. 5. It will also identify specific challenges rural hospitals face regarding cybersecurity.