Help Me With Hipaa

Forget Mission: Impossible-style hacking - today's cyber crooks are all about manners. In this episode, we unravel how asking “pretty please” can crack open digital doors faster than any brute force attack. With tips, tales, and a touch of panic, we break down the importance of knowing your personal risk profile, locking down your accounts, and yes - finally turning on that MFA you've been ignoring. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/525

If you thought HIPAA only applied to big hospitals and medical groups swimming in patient data, think again. In this episode, we uncover how just one record with PHI can infect your organization with full-blown HIPAA responsibilities — no vaccine required. We dive into a juicy enforcement case featuring a CPA firm that got hit with a ransomware attack and a $175K HIPAA oopsie, all because someone skipped their security risk analysis. Spoiler: ignorance is not immunity. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/524

Strap in, folks—this episode charges into the wild frontier of cybersecurity, where Shadow AI runs loose like a toddler with admin access. Whether your security plan is airtight or held together by paperclips and prayers, this deep dive into the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2025 report offers plenty to think about. From eye-popping breach costs to the cringe of unsecured AI, we’re covering the good, the bad, and the downright reckless. Spoiler: "we don’t use AI" might be the biggest myth since "the check’s in the mail." More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/523

You might think a single ransomware attack is just a tech hiccup—but tell that to the medical practice that shut its doors permanently because of one. In this episode, we dissect what really happens when cybersecurity goes sideways, peeling back the layers of tech jargon to expose the raw, messy fallout of a breach. It’s less “oops, I forgot my password” and more “goodbye, 12 years of business.” Let’s get real about what these incidents cost—not just in dollars, but in dignity. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/522

What do hackers, patient scams, and IT help desks with too much trust have in common? They're all making healthcare cybersecurity a lot messier—and a lot more vomit-worthy. In this episode, we dive into how bad actors are not only stealing data but turning patients into direct targets. From sneaky social engineering tactics to “I can’t believe they answered that call” level IT fails, we explore why locking down your network is only half the battle. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/521

If you thought AI was just about asking ChatGPT for dinner ideas, think again. This episode unpacks the next-level madness of agentic AI—those industrious bots that not only check your emails but might just decide how your healthcare practice runs. We’re talking phishing attacks on steroids, decision-making algorithms with questionable judgment, and the jaw-dropping ways AI is working for—and against—us in cybersecurity. It’s part fascinating, part terrifying, and 100% worth listening to. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/520

You know that moment when someone casually slides a contract across the table and says, “Just sign here”? Yeah, don't do that—especially when it's a Business Associate Agreement. This episode is a deep dive into the dark corners of BAAs, the traps they hide, and why you should read every line like it’s a ransom note. From ping floods to passive-aggressive breach clauses, we unpack the weird, wild world of healthcare contracts. Oh, and stick around—because just when you think it can’t get any messier, a breach shows up to ruin everyone’s day. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/519

Think cybersecurity laws are just for the big guys? Think again. In this episode, we unravel the patchwork of new state regulations popping up faster than a phishing scam in your inbox—Ohio, Utah, Texas, Florida, and even Iowa are throwing their hats into the compliance ring. From safe harbor perks to tiered requirements for small businesses (yes, Texas made a flowchart-worthy version), we decode what these laws mean, who they apply to, and why HIPAA entities seem to always get the “you’re fine, probably” treatment. Bonus: there's a federal bill in Congress that might actually help. Maybe. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/518

Strap in, folks—this isn’t your average cybersecurity snoozefest. We're plugging into a conversation with Greg Garcia, the guy who's been leading healthcare's cyber crusade like it’s the season finale of a medical drama. From hospitals fending off ransomware to the chaotic ballet of patching ancient medical devices, it’s clear: in a world where tech keeps patients breathing, cyber safety is patient safety. And no, turning it off and on again won’t fix this one. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/517

If you thought “One Phish, Two Phish” was a Dr. Seuss classic, think again—this cybercrime edition comes with a twist of ransomware, app-specific passwords, and a side of website hijacking. This week, we explore what happens when software vendors forget to patch, hackers start crafting emails better than your favorite copywriter, and your website becomes a party zone for malware. It’s an episode full of lessons, laughs, and mild panic—just the way we like it. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/516

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when “going viral” meets “losing your license,” this episode has the answer—courtesy of a nurse who took her TikTok dreams a little too far. From cringe-worthy compliance blunders to Oklahoma’s oddly refreshing legal update, we’re diving headfirst into the murky waters of healthcare privacy, social media madness, and why reasonable security might just be your get-out-of-court-free card. It’s like HIPAA meets reality TV—minus the roses and dramatic exits. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/515

This week on “Things That Make You Go Hmm,” we’re serving up a digital cocktail featuring disappearing network routes, dark web AI tools with a flair for phishing, and Microsoft’s bold new idea to let Copilot tinker with your system settings—what could possibly go wrong? In this episode, we dissect digital disasters and marvel at how event planners might just be outdoing some organizations when it comes to risk assessments. It’s equal parts facepalm and fascinating. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/514

You’ve heard of phishing scams, ransomware, and all the usual cyber villains—but have you prepared for the wrath of a squirrel? In this episode, we unpack how one fuzzy-tailed offender knocked out power to 11,000 customers and sent a swim club scrambling for pencils and paper. But this isn’t just a woodland horror story. It’s a real-world reminder that sometimes, your biggest threat isn’t a hacker—it’s Alfred the squirrel with a death wish and a talent for circuit boards. We use this nutty incident to highlight the often-overlooked need for utility failure preparedness in healthcare and dig into the super-helpful (and criminally underused) ASPR TRACIE tip sheets that can keep your operations steady when nature gets twitchy. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/513

Welcome to another episode where chaos meets cybersecurity and common sense tries to crash the party. In this digital drama, we’re untangling the curious case of a former employee with way too much access, some mysterious printed medical records, and a whole lot of "Wait... WHAT?!" moments. We also dive into the thrilling (read: terrifying) reality of outdated edge devices and how your trusty old router might just be moonlighting as a hacker’s BFF. Oh, and spoiler alert—Microsoft Recall still isn’t winning any popularity contests. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/512

Ever wonder what would happen if a hacker walked right into your digital living room, kicked off their shoes, and hung out for three months without anyone noticing? This week’s episode dives into a jaw-dropping CISA Red Team Assessment that reads like a cybersecurity horror flick—complete with ignored alarms, forgotten passwords, and an open-door policy for digital intruders. It's not just about tech failures; it’s a full-blown case study in what happens when leadership decides “meh” is a strategy. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/511

Let’s face it — if healthcare had a dollar for every time someone said “we need another webinar,” it might actually be able to afford cybersecurity upgrades. This episode takes aim at the overload of online presentations and instead shines a light on what healthcare providers actually need. We unpack the findings of a critical report on the unique cybersecurity challenges facing small and rural healthcare providers, who are often running on shoestring budgets, outdated tech, and a whole lot of crossed fingers. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/510

When a cybersecurity CEO strolls into a hospital and decides to play malware magician with a couple of unlocked computers, you've got yourself a plot twist worthy of a Netflix docuseries. In this episode, we dive headfirst into bizarre breaches, finger-pointing fiascos, and the kind of contractual confusion that’ll make you want to reread your SLAs before breakfast. It’s a rollercoaster of responsibility, reputation, and really bad behavior. But at the heart of it all is the million-dollar question: who’s actually responsible when it all goes sideways? More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/509

Healthcare still has a giant “Hack Me” sign taped to its back — and the latest reports from Mandiant and Verizon are here to confirm it. These cybercrime breakdowns reveal that attackers are smarter, sneakier, and spending more time poking around your network than ever before. Waiting to secure your systems until after a breach is like installing a smoke detector after the house has already burned down — by the time you smell smoke, it’s too late. From dwell times that feel more like extended Airbnb stays to small businesses learning that “we’re too small to target” isn’t a strategy, the findings hit hard and the lessons come wrapped in some well-placed snark. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/508

If the Ponemon study were a horror flick, it’d be titled "The Login Came from Inside the System." This week’s episode dives into the alarming trend of organizations handing out privileged access like Halloween candy — only to forget who’s still got it long after the party’s over. With 59% of breaches linked to insiders or third parties, and executives confidently sailing past the iceberg of reality, we explore what happens when no one’s really sure who can still get into the network. Spoiler alert: it’s not good. So grab your flashlight and audit logs — we’re heading into the haunted house of unrevoked access. More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/507

Turns out, “they got hit, they just didn’t tell you” isn’t just a snarky title—it’s a terrifying reality. The Black Fog report basically says, “Hey, the cybersecurity iceberg is way bigger below the surface.” From undisclosed data heists to the rapid rise of ransomware attacks, this is your reminder that you don’t want to be the next plot twist in a cyber thriller. Oh, and yeah... shadow AI is watching too. Sleep tight! More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/506