Blood centers are the lifeblood of our nation's healthcare system, ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply for patients in need.
These vital institutions serve our health care system, supporting everything from routine surgeries to emergency trauma responses.
The Problem
In an increasingly digital world, blood centers face a new and formidable challenge: sophisticated cyberattacks.
Recent incidents have exposed the vulnerability of these critical institutions to malicious actors, with potentially devastating consequences:
- Disruptions to blood collection and distribution processes
- Cancelation of elective surgeries and delays in non-emergency patient care due to diminished blood supplies
- Significant financial losses and operational setbacks
The impact of a successful cyberattack on a single blood center extends far beyond local communities. As other blood providers step in to meet patient needs, the entire national blood supply chain can be strained, creating a domino effect that threatens healthcare delivery across the country.
Take Action
To safeguard our nation's blood supply and protect patient lives, Congress act decisively. Blood centers require immediate support to:
- Modernize outdated information technology infrastructures
- Implement robust cybersecurity measures
- Enhance staff training and awareness programs
- Develop comprehensive incident response plans
Add your voice to these efforts by sending customizable, prewritten messages to your Members of Congress - it takes only minutes but could have a lasting impact.
Resources
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
CISA is the federal agency that is responsible for enhancing the nation's cybersecurity resilience and the security and resilience of the country's critical infrastructure. It works to defend against cyber threats, secure federal networks, manage risk to the nation's critical infrastructure, and provide emergency communications support in times of crises.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE)
TRACIE offers technical assistance, resources, and information exchange to help healthcare organizations, practitioners, emergency managers, and other stakeholders better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies, including cybersecurity incidents.