What happens when artificial intelligence starts making healthcare decisions faster than humans can review them? Dr. Ali Dehghantanha’s Professor and Canadian Research Chair in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence, takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of healthcare cybersecurity where self-healing AI systems may soon become our frontline defenders.

The cybersecurity battlefield shifts constantly. From database security to cloud protection to today's AI systems, Dr. Dehghantanha explains why "the only thing constant in cybersecurity is change." This rapid evolution creates unique challenges for healthcare organizations trying to protect patient data while embracing transformative technologies. As healthcare increasingly relies on AI for clinical decision support, the cybersecurity stakes have never been higher.

Dr. Dehghantanha’s groundbreaking research focuses on self-healing AI systems that automatically detect and repair vulnerabilities without human intervention. This capability becomes critical in healthcare environments where AI analyzes clinical data and makes treatment recommendations at speeds beyond human oversight capabilities. The self-healing component provides essential guardrails against potentially harmful decisions that exceed the system's design parameters.

Cultural and socioeconomic factors significantly influence AI adoption in healthcare. Less-regulated regions and underserved communities often embrace AI healthcare solutions more readily when traditional medical resources are scarce. This accelerates adoption but raises critical questions about verification and potential exploitation by adversaries. As patients increasingly trust AI-generated medical advice, these systems become prime targets for sophisticated cyberattacks that could manipulate clinical recommendations.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation about the delicate balance between AI innovation and security in healthcare. Dr. Ali challenges us to consider not just how we implement AI, but how we protect these systems when they become responsible for life-or-death decisions. The future of healthcare cybersecurity lies at this intersection of human expertise, artificial intelligence, and robust security frameworks.

Dan Dodson and cybersecurity expert T.J. Ramsey discussed the escalation of ransomware attacks in healthcare, emphasizing that ransomware is a form of extortion malware used primarily for financial gain, with attackers operating like organized crime syndicates. Ramsey traced his journey from military intelligence to cybersecurity, explained the operational and financial pressures making healthcare a vulnerable target, and described the typical sequence and negotiation process of a ransomware attack—from initial triage and threat actor communications to the challenges in paying ransoms. Throughout, both stressed patient safety, expectation management, and the emotional toll on executives during crises.

Dr. Jeff Tulley, a board-certified physician and co-director of the UCSD Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, discusses the intersection of healthcare and cybersecurity. He highlights the benefits of digitization in healthcare, such as clinical decision support and interoperability, but also acknowledges the increased attack surface. Tulley's research focuses on the impact of technology failures on patient outcomes, particularly during ransomware attacks. He emphasizes the need for resilience in clinical settings and the importance of evidence-based cybersecurity practices. Tulley also discusses the challenges of phishing training effectiveness and the potential of AI in both clinical and cybersecurity contexts.

Our center website: https://cyberhealth.ucsd.edu/

Our October Academic Symposium registration page: https://cyberhealth.ucsd.edu/events/2025-academic-symposium/index.html

Join us in this compelling episode of the Cyber Security Podcast as we sit down with Scott Augenbaum, a former FBI agent with a distinguished career in cybersecurity spanning back to 1988.

Augenbaum takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of cybercrime, from its early days of thrill-seeking individuals to today's highly organized and sophisticated transnational threats. He reveals the stark reality of cybercrime's massive escalation, now a staggering $10 trillion global problem, and sheds light on the significant hurdles law enforcement faces in recovering stolen data.

Discover why proactive measures are paramount in protecting yourself and your organization. Augenbaum stresses the critical importance of simple yet effective steps like freezing your credit and enabling two-factor authentication. He passionately advocates for better end-user education and the seamless integration of cybersecurity into organizational culture as fundamental defenses against relentless cyberattacks.

We also explore the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence in amplifying cyber threats and the absolute necessity of robust personal cybersecurity measures in our increasingly digital world. Don't miss this insightful conversation that will empower you to better understand and defend against the ever-present dangers of the cyber landscape.

In this episode, Chief Nursing Officer Katrina Brown recounts her experience managing a cyberattack at USA Health Providence Hospital. The attack severely impacted the hospital's Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and other critical systems, leading to a significant decrease in efficiency and a necessary reduction in patient census. Brown highlights the crucial role of strong leadership and well-practiced downtime procedures, noting the unexpected challenges like nurses' inability to read cursive doctor's orders and the use of cowbells as a call light system. Despite the month-long disruption, the hospital maintained patient safety with no serious incidents. The community's self-diversion to other hospitals was an unforeseen outcome, and patient trust was quickly regained post-recovery. Brown emphasizes that the benefits of digitized healthcare outweigh the cyber risks, advocating for robust preparation and frequent downtime drills for all healthcare organizations.

In this episode of Cyber Survivor host Dan Dodson interviews Steven Ramirez, Chief Information Security and Technology Officer at Renown Health. They discuss the evolution of healthcare cybersecurity over the past decade, emphasizing increased funding, improved identity management, and the importance of governance. Ramirez highlights the growing threat of social engineering and AI-fueled attacks, stressing proactive education and advanced safeguards. They explore third-party risk management, emphasizing partnership and resilience planning. Ramirez advocates for integrating security into organizational culture, expanding the CISO role, and focusing on fundamental practices like identity hygiene, access controls, and collaboration. The discussion underscores that cybersecurity is vital for safeguarding patient care and system availability.

In this episode, Chrissi Maguire, CEO of Mount Desert Island Hospital, shares insights on the evolution of healthcare cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of investments in security infrastructure, staff training, and leadership engagement. She recounts a recent cyber incident, highlighting the swift response, collaboration, and system safeguards that minimized patient care disruption. Maguire underscores the necessity of ongoing awareness, board involvement, and proactive measures like cyber insurance and penetration testing, urging CEOs to prioritize cybersecurity as vital to healthcare delivery.

This episode of Cyber Survivor focuses on the action taken after a cyber security attack at a hospital in the Northeast. Host Dan Dodson interviews IT experts James Edgell and Dan Colon, who share their experiences handling cybersecurity challenges during that episode. They discuss the aftermath of a cyber incident, improvements in security measures, and the importance of maintaining strong cybersecurity practices. The conversation highlights the need for ongoing investment, effective communication, and collaboration to protect healthcare systems from evolving cyber threats. Ultimately, the podcast emphasizes that cybersecurity is crucial for safeguarding both data and patients.