As part of a campaign to educate our workforce about email phishing attacks, Ballad Health team members recently completed a CBL about phishing email safety. To continue the campaign, we’ll also include periodic safety tips and reminders in Ballad Health News. A lot of team members may not realize that phishing attacks on our email don’t just occur through our desktop computers, but in fact the majority of incidents are through our cellphones – because cellphones are actually the most vulnerable piece of equipment. We have an Information Technology team working diligently to fend off attacks to our Ballad Health system. But these protections do not extend to cellphones often used on free Wi-Fi networks or on cellphone carrier networks. Additionally, for many people the anti-virus software on their cellphone may not be very good, if there’s any installed at all. Therefore, opening web pages within emails or attachments on your cellphone could still expose…

Last month, Ballad Health introduced a new CBL on phishing safety entitled “Think Before You Click.” All team members are required to complete this online education module by Monday, Nov. 12. It is accessible on HealthStream and TEDS, depending on your legacy system. All team members should have received a notification in their email instructing them to complete this CBL. It will become one of our required annual CBLs. Our cybersecurity is extremely important and as an organization we’re under constant attack by malicious emails. Our Information Technology team fights a never-ending battle to keep us safe from phishing attacks.  But you, as Ballad Health team members, are the last line of defense. Every one of us needs to: Be aware of the dangers of phishing attacks; Be able to spot a suspicious email; Know what to do when we receive one. If you have not completed this CBL, make sure you do so by…

In an effort to defend our system against phishing email attacks, we’re rolling out a campaign to help everyone do their part. You’ll see different messages through emails, Ballad Health News, posters and fliers, screen savers and online. We’ve also created a CBL that specifically addresses phishing and must be completed by Nov. 12. Our main message: THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK. The problem We are barraged by cyberattacks on a regular basis. As you’ve probably seen in the media, these attacks can paralyze a health system and hold its medical records for ransom. They can potentially cost millions of dollars and cause patient safety issues – all due to a random, careless click on the wrong email. The solution While our IS team works tirelessly to defend us against cyberattacks, we also need all 15,000-plus team members to be part of our defense shield. It’s vital that every one of us knows the warning signs…

Health system forms board committee, including seasoned expert, to oversee implementation and development of advanced technology strategy JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – In a move designed to enhance technology, provide tools for innovative research and sustain the highest level of quality patient care to the region, the board of directors of Ballad Health has approved a plan to adopt an integrated technology platform that will bring all hospitals and points of service together as an integrated system.  The platform will provide a personalized health record for every person who uses a Ballad Health service – a health record available to each individual on their personal computer or even their mobile device. Ballad Health has selected Epic as its technology partner for implementing a common, comprehensive electronic health record.  Epic is rated the No. 1 overall software suite by KLAS Research, a prominent healthcare information technology insights company. Other health systems currently using Epic include the Cleveland…