The alert pertains to a serious and destructive malware infection known as "Ryuk" and the actions providers can take to protect their networks from this threat.

Governor Cuomo signed into law provisions expanding the definition of private information subject to state data breach reporting and creating new data security requirements. HIPAA-covered entities and business associates will have to notify the New York State Attorney General of breaches but need not notify individuals twice.

A new report and technical resources released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide practical and cost-effective cybersecurity guidelines for health care providers and payers.

CMS has approved an extension of New York's Data Exchange Incentive Program until Sept. 30, 2020.

Nursing homes, home care agencies, and hospice programs utilizing "certified electronic health record technology under the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH)" must connect to their Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) by March 9, 2018 or submit a waiver request to the Department of Health.

Providers with certified EHRs are required to connect. A free recorded webinar hosted by the New York eHealth Collaborative is available for providers.

The webinar will be held twice, on Jan. 29^th at 3:30 pm and Jan. 30^th at 8:30 am.

A free webinar to inform providers about updated requirements to qualify for health information exchange funding will be held on Dec. 21^st at 12 pm.