Protecting client information is one of the most important elements of providing quality services at your center. And part of protecting their information is ensuring your center has adequate cybersecurity measures in place. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published best practices to help healthcare providers avoid and respond to online threats.

Sadly, some centers have been the victim of attacks from those who dislike their work and want to see them shut down. The most common online attacks that have impacted pregnancy centers are email phishing and ransomware.

Both types of attacks often come through email and seek to either destroy the user’s data, or hold their data for ransom. These attacks can be launched by clicking on a malicious link in an email or downloading a file with a virus in it.

To keep from falling victim to email attacks, HHS recommends you evaluate the emails you open based on the following criteria:

• Do you know the sender?

• Are there any spelling or grammatical errors, or any other indicators that the tone or style of the e-mail is off?

• Before clicking on a link, did you hover over it to see the URL destination?

• Do you know the sender, or are you suspicious of the e-mail? If in doubt, do NOT open any attachments.

• What are my organization’s processes for reporting suspicious e-mails?

Read the full list of tips and recommendations from HHS here. 

If you're a Care Net affiliate, check out Care Net's full recommendations below. Stay safe in cyberspace!