In Boston next month, the venerable HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum returns, gathering in person for the first time in three years.

That means plenty of opportunities for hospital and health system chief information security officers, chief privacy officers, chief information officers and other C-level IT, clinical and business leaders to gather to compare notes and share security strategies.

There will be an array of keynotes, presentations, onstage interviews, tabletop exercises and more, all focused on managing the myriad threats of a healthcare sector where the attack surface has expanded enormously in the era of virtual care and remote monitoring, and where the bad guys are only getting bolder and more creative in their exploits.

The two-day program, "Cybersecurity: The Accelerating and Never-Ending Race," offers plenty of opportunity for valuable insights into some of the most vexing challenges facing data security and patient safety in an era of rampant ransomware, nation-state threats, medical device vulnerabilities, evolving challenges to patient privacy and fast-changing regulatory policies.

Topics will include workforce challenges and change management strategies; perspectives on incident response and recovery; tips for balancing innovation with security; insights from federal agencies on new and emerging cyber threats; and much more.

Among just some of the sessions we're looking forward to:

• A day-one keynote address from Anita Allen, Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy at University of Pennsylvania Law School, on the ethical imperatives of data sharing while maintaining privacy and security.

• A panel discussion on "Clinical Perspectives in Cybersecurity" convenes CISOs, CMIOs and others from leading health systems to discuss the role physicians and nurses play in maintaining security and protecting patient safety.

• Another onstage talk, featuring security and privacy leaders from Intermountain, Northwell, Sutter Health and others to share perspectives on managing the unique challenges of third-party risk.

• I'll be having a "fireside chat" with Roshal Marshall, managing chief counsel for global privacy and cybersecurity at McKesson, who will offer her thoughts on how CISOs, legal counsel and other health system stakeholders should be working together to create more effective cybersecurity policies.

• A presentation from FBI special agent Bill McDermott, who will offer the bureau's take on evolving and emerging cyber threats – ransomware, nation-states targeting critical infrastructure – and give some tips on building partnerships with the FBI and other agencies.

All in all, the forum will offer a trove of insights into how the industry is protecting itself today and how it should be preparing for the future – adapting to new threats while staying focused on playing defense, protecting patient safety, and delivering value inside and outside the provider setting.

 The HIMSS 2022 Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum takes place December 5 and 6 at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. Register here.

Twitter: @MikeMiliardHITN
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.