(HCI) Data Governance and Hactivism, AFT or Cybersecurity in Healthcare

CYBERSECURITY IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY
Name
Institution
Data Governance and Hacktivism
Data governance is the process of collecting, securing and storage of crucial information within a computer system. Currently, many organizations have a data management framework that outlines the finer detail of this vital activity. Hacktivism refers to the use of malicious software for political purposes. Hacktivists groups such as Anonymous can hack IT systems to address political and social issues (Appari & Johnson, 2010). The legality of these practices is not universally agreed with various governments being subjected to data breaches that have exposed problems in governance. The health industry has not been spared with many healthcare providers being hacked by different groups who have used the data for various political ends (Tanenbaum, & Practicing Law Institute, 2015).
However, the health industry has been accused of lagging behind other sectors in the securing of crucial data archives. For instance, the year 2015 was a testament to these security flaws with the loss of over 112 million records from health IT systems. While most of this data is stolen by criminals who sell it on the dark web, some of the data breaches are done by hacktivists (Govil & Govil, 2015). With losses amounting to over $5 billion dollars alone, the healthcare sector is exposed to both cybercriminals and hacktivists (Appari & Johnson, 2010).
Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital Data Governance
The Miami VA hospital has for a long time been accused of failing to implement a successful data plan, and this has resulted in various data breaches.

In fact, the Veteran Affairs office has been named as one of the most consistent flouters of the HIPAA privacy and security rule with reports showing the magnitude of losses of current and former armed forces members’ medical and personal data. For instance, a former employee at the facility, a Mr. Enrique Martinez was charged with falsifying computer record that may have led to the death of a 76-year-old veteran (Tanenbaum, & Practicing Law Institute, 2015). Clearly, the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center has failed to properly implement and adhere to its data governance plan if they have one at all. My organization has not been the victim of a successful data breach. The management has recognized the various dangers we face in the cyberspace and in turn employed a clearly outlined data governance plan that has so far secured critical data. The current plan is continually upgraded to deal with emerging and evolving threats.

References
Appari, A., & Johnson, M. E. (2010). “Information security and privacy in healthcare: current state of research. International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management”, 6(4), 279-314.
Govil, T., & Govil, J. (January 01, 2015). Health Information Technology/Biodefense Needs to Fight Bio-Terrorism.
Tanenbaum, W. A., & Practicing Law Institute, (2015). Healthcare IT 2015: Critical issues.