According to John Riggi, the national director for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, AI is currently being utilized by various actors, including malicious nation-state entities, thereby heightening the threats faced by hospitals and healthcare organizations.
Riggi highlights that malevolent actors leverage AI to craft sophisticated phishing emails, often incorporating algorithmic videos or audio messages, to exploit vulnerabilities within organizations promptly by creating customized malware and exploits.
Despite these challenges, cybersecurity professionals play a crucial role in fortifying defenses against such attacks, swiftly detecting malware intrusions, and mitigating their impact effectively.
In his interview, Riggi emphasizes the importance of integrating emergency management strategies with digital incident response protocols to enhance resilience against ransomware and other disruptive cyber threats. He also addresses the significance of involving non-technical personnel, including medical leaders, in cybersecurity briefings to bolster overall preparedness.
With oversight of security and risk at the American Hospital Association, which oversees more than 5,000 healthcare facilities nationwide, Riggi brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the FBI, where he held various senior roles over three decades, including membership in the White House Cyber Response Group. Additionally, he served as the national operations manager for counterterrorism financing investigations at the CIA.
