Week 10 Discussion - Information Pr Watch The Video Massive

Week 10 Discussion - Information Pr Watch the video Massive Cyberattack

Watch the video "Massive Cyberattack Strikes Anthem" (1m 43s). Review the Case Study: Practical Applications of an Information Privacy Plan on page 443 of the textbook. Based on the video, your readings this week, and the case study, please respond to the following questions: What information privacy principles have been breached? How were the information privacy principles breached? What would you do to address the situation?

Paper For Above instruction

The cybersecurity incident involving Anthem, as illustrated in the video "Massive Cyberattack Strikes Anthem," highlights significant breaches of core information privacy principles. These principles include confidentiality, integrity, and privacy, each essential to safeguarding personal health information (PHI) as mandated by regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The attack compromised sensitive patient data, indicating breaches in confidentiality and privacy, which are foundational to trustworthy health information management.

Confidentiality was clearly breached during the cyberattack, as unauthorized access resulted in exposure of patients' personal and health information. The attackers exploited vulnerabilities within Anthem’s security infrastructure to gain access to databases containing PHI, which includes social security numbers, medical histories, and insurance details. This exposure violates the principle that healthcare organizations must protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure. The breach disrupted the trust patients place in healthcare providers to keep their data private and secure.

Furthermore, the integrity of the information was compromised due to the attack. Integrity refers to maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and trustworthiness of data throughout its lifecycle. In the aftermath of the breach, questions arose about whether the data were altered or manipulated maliciously, which could have led to misinformation, misdiagnosis, or inappropriate treatment. The breach undermines the trustworthiness of the data, potentially impacting patient care and organizational credibility.

The privacy principle was also breached as the attackers accessed and potentially disseminated sensitive personal health information without patient consent or knowledge. Privacy encompasses not only the protection of information but also the control individuals have over how their data are used and shared. The cyberattack violated this principle by circumventing those controls and exposing personal information to malicious actors.

Addressing such breaches necessitates a comprehensive response strategy rooted in best practices for information security and privacy. First, immediate containment measures should be implemented, including isolating affected systems and investigating the breach to understand its scope and impact. Organizations should notify affected patients and relevant regulatory authorities swiftly, in compliance with legal requirements, to ensure transparency and enable affected individuals to take protective measures such as credit monitoring.

Subsequently, a thorough evaluation of security vulnerabilities must be conducted and remediated. This includes updating security protocols, deploying advanced intrusion detection systems, encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit, and enhancing access controls to prevent future attacks. Employee training on cybersecurity awareness should also be intensified, emphasizing the importance of recognizing phishing attempts and maintaining strict password practices.

Furthermore, implementing a robust information privacy plan aligned with legal standards like HIPAA ensures that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent similar incidents. Regular audits and risk assessments are essential to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities proactively. Engaging cybersecurity experts and adopting industry best practices—such as multi-factor authentication and continuous monitoring—are critical to restoring trust and protecting patient data.

In conclusion, the Anthem cyberattack exemplifies breaches in confidentiality, integrity, and privacy principles. Addressing such incidents involves immediate containment, transparent communication, security enhancements, and ongoing risk management. A proactive and comprehensive approach is essential for restoring trust, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding sensitive health information from future threats.

References

• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). (2020). Health information management: Principles and practices. AHIMA Press.
• HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rule. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html
• Kshetri, N. (2017). 1 The emerging role of big data in key development issues: Opportunities, challenges, and concerns. Big Data & Society, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2053951717735040
• McMillan, R. (2015). Health data breaches threaten patient trust. Healthcare IT News. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/health-data-breaches-threaten-patient-trust
• Rothstein, M. (2018). Ethical management of data security in healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(4), 271–274.
• Schneider, J. (2019). Cybersecurity challenges in healthcare: Protecting patient data. Journal of Healthcare Information Management, 33(2), 12–19.
• Sharon, T. (2018). Privacy, ethics, and health data: Key considerations. Biomedical Informatics Insights, 10, 1178222618783584.
• Singh, K., & Lee, J. (2020). Secure healthcare data management: Strategies and best practices. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 142, 104256.
• Stone, P. W., & McGonigle, D. (2019). Health information technology and privacy/security policies. American Journal of Managed Care, 25(9), 462–464.
• Wang, J., & Sherratt, R. (2016). Protecting health information systems against cyber threats. IEEE Transactions on Information Technology in Biomedicine, 20(4), 387–392.