Microsoft, Google offer cybersecurity resources for rural hospitals

Microsoft and Google have pledged to help rural hospitals prevent cyberattacks by offering free or discounted cybersecurity resources. The commitment from the tech giants is part of a White House-led initiative to bolster cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.

According to an announcement from the White House, Microsoft will extend its nonprofit program to provide grants to independent critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals. For these types of hospitals, the company will also offer a 75% discount on security products optimized for smaller organizations. Larger rural hospitals already using eligible Microsoft solutions will receive the company’s “most advanced security suite at no additional cost for one year.”

The White House also said Microsoft will offer free cybersecurity assessments by technology security providers and free training for frontline and IT staff at eligible rural hospitals. The company also pledged to extend security updates for Windows 10 to participating hospitals for one year at no cost.

The “Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals” is immediately available to US rural hospitals.

Google will provide free endpoint security advice to rural hospitals and nonprofit organizations, the announcement added. Eligible organizations will also qualify for discounted communication and collaboration tools, as well as security support and access to funding for support software migration.

Additionally, the White House said Google committed to creating a pilot program with rural hospitals to develop security capabilities that align with the unique security needs of rural provider organizations.

The White House said public-private collaboration is key to bolstering cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, especially among rural providers.

“Cyber-attacks against the U.S. healthcare systems rose 130% in 2023, forcing hospitals to cancel procedures and impacting Americans’ access to critical care. Rural hospitals are particularly hard hit as they are often the sole source of care for the communities they serve and lack trained cyber staff and modern cyber defenses,” Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisory for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, said in a statement with Microsoft.

“President Biden is committed to every American having access to the care they need, and effective cybersecurity is a part of that. So, we’re excited to work with Microsoft to launch cybersecurity programs that will provide training, advice and technology to help America’s rural hospitals be safe online,” Neuberger continued.

The free or discounted services will impact between 1,800-2,100 rural hospitals across the country. The White House also said it invited other tech companies to contribute to the initiative.