A spate of cyber breaches at some of the state’s largest health care providers has left many Oklahomans questioning the integrity and security of their health care services. As healthcare becomes increasingly virtualized and healthcare cybercrime continues to grow, the frequency and severity of these attacks will only increase.
Since 2018, healthcare cyber breaches nationwide have more than doubled. This is primarily because the health system is vulnerable and a lucrative target. Like energy pipelines and airports, health systems are “critical infrastructure.” Holding patient data for ransom through a cyberattack can be a life-or-death situation. Faced with this dilemma, health systems often pay large ransoms to quickly restore services and alleviate legal liability. Additionally, hackers are further motivated to target healthcare, as stolen patient data offers huge profits on the dark web.
Thankfully, the City of Tulsa is leading the nation in innovation and workforce development in cybersecurity and virtual health to address this national vulnerability.
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As cybercriminals devote more energy to infiltrating healthcare systems, the entire industry is shifting toward providing more care in patients’ homes. This includes virtual health innovations such as smart glucose meters that provide doctors with real-time patient blood sugar spikes, and AI-powered cameras that prevent falls in nursing homes. These technologies improve quality and access to care for millions of patients. Additionally, these virtual health solutions are especially meaningful in states like Oklahoma, where rural communities often lack access to appropriate care. However, these new systems also expand what cyber experts call the “attack surface,” or the number of places hackers can try to penetrate.
Cooperative investments from the state, researchers, educational institutions, and the Tulsa Innovation Lab (TIL) are turning this vulnerability into a source of strength and innovation for Oklahoma. TIL is contributing to this effort by co-designing and launching programs that connect ecosystem leaders and advance cyber and virtual health workforce, startup and innovation development in the city.
The University of Tulsa (TU) is home to one of the top cybersecurity programs in the country. Last year, TIL collaborated with TU, the state, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation to co-design and invest $75 million to launch the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII). Representing another important public sector effort to drive technological breakthroughs in this field, the institute will support critical infrastructure, including everything from pipelines and power lines to local hospital data and distribution. designed to innovate cyber solutions.
To expand the local cybersecurity talent pool, TIL partnered with Tulsa Community College to launch the Cyber Skills Center (CSC), which offers a 24-week cybersecurity program to adult career changers. The program further encourages Tulsa residents to participate by offering 60 full-tuition scholarships with free comprehensive services such as child care, transportation, and career assistance. Additionally, the city will see an increase in cyber talent through the University of Oklahoma, where Tulsa’s new OU Polytechnic Institute will offer degrees in cybersecurity starting this fall.
Oklahoma State Government also understands that ensuring health care for Oklahomans is an enabler for business development. Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Office identifies opportunities to modernize Oklahoma law to improve consumer protection and public safety as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State and Local Government Cybersecurity Grant Program To do so, he said he is conducting a comprehensive review of Oklahoma’s cybersecurity regulations. Clearer guidance to industry. The goal of this initiative, a collaboration of subject matter experts, law enforcement, government officials, and private industry partners, is to make Oklahoma a leading authority on data protection and information-intensive business development.
The health and safety of Oklahomans depends on key institutions and health care providers, and the safety of our health care system is a top priority. With or without investment, virtual healthcare and cybercrime are here and growing. But Oklahoma State is on track to turn this vulnerability into a strength.
Conor Godfrey and Sahee Abdelmomin work on the Tulsa Innovation Lab’s cybersecurity and virtual health portfolios, respectively. TIL is an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.