Over the past 12 years that The American Journal of Managed Care ® has published the annual Health Information Technology special issue, the landscape of digital health has changed dramatically. Although the march of technological progress had come slowly to health care organizations, 2 events spurred seismic changes. First, the rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in response to federal policy has digitized care delivery, bringing with it a host of intended and unintended consequences for patients, clinicians, and health care organizations. Second, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate and sudden shift to the organization and delivery of health care—a shift that was only possible because of the digital infrastructure built by broad EHR adoption. In this special issue, 11 papers advance our understanding of health information technology across 3 domains, each of which reflects those 2 events: telemedicine, EHR work and clinician burden, and the building of a better digital health system. Evaluating the Telemedicine Revolution The popularity of telemedicine exploded at the onset of the pandemic, and virtual care is likely here to stay in some form. Johnson et al use qualitative data from expert panels to highlight the challenges and barriers to […]
AFRL commander highlights 2023 S&T goals
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) — Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle joined the “Lab Life” podcast to discuss her vision for the coming year and to reflect on 2022 successes. “Lab Life,” an AFRL Public Affairs product, brings listeners behind the scenes with Department of the Air Force scientists, engineers and professionals who are developing tomorrow’s technologies today. In this episode, Pringle provided an update on the priorities covered in her Commander’s Intent relating to accelerating science and technology, or S&T; “One Lab, Two Services” and building the best AFRL team. “I am keeping the three priorities, and I’ll say they have stood the test of time,” Pringle told “Lab Life” hosts Michele Miller and Kenneth McNulty. “We still have unfinished business that we want to go after. Looking forward to 2023, we are going to have the same priorities, but we’re going to put a couple of new objectives under each of them.” Another topic of discussion was AFRL’s continuing transition to the digital environment, including establishing a dedicated directorate within AFRL. “I stood up the Digital War Room to add some energy to our efforts and really accelerate where we […]
Understanding Device and Infrastructure Attacks: Exploring the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2022
iStock/ra2studio The Microsoft Digital Defense Report explores the most pressing cyber threats as they relate to cybercrime, nation-state threats, devices and infrastructure, cyber-influence operations, and cyber resiliency. Based on intelligence from 43 trillion security signals daily, this report offers insight and guidance on how organizations can help strengthen their cyber defenses. In this post, we will take a deeper look at section two of the report. Keep reading for our findings, and download the full Microsoft Digital Defense Report for even more insights. Digital transformation can lead to increased attack surfaces—and greater risk According to a survey conducted by Microsoft and Ponemon, 68% of CISOs believe that adopting IoT/OT is critical to their strategic digital transformation. And yet, 60% of those same respondents recognize that IoT/OT security is one of the least secured aspects of their infrastructure. This is a major threat given that rapidly increasing IoT creates an expanded entry point and attack surface for attackers. Accelerating digital transformation has increased the cybersecurity risk to critical infrastructure and cyber-physical systems. As organizations harness advances in computing capability and entities digitize to thrive, the attack surface of the digital world is exponentially increasing. By 2025, the International Data Corporation […]
The Digital Dismissal Dilemma
The recent New York Times piece about the chaos arising from terminating remote workers highlights the difficulties employers face when laying off a distributed workforce of digital workers. Few employers are able to deliver the unwelcome news of a layoff in face-to-face meetings with employees, where the details of the termination can be delivered, reviewed and discussed with the employee in an empathetic and informative manner. Given the vast geographic dispersion of the modern workforce, in-person layoffs just may no longer be practical. But with that said, the right planning can make a difficult and awkward process more humane. First, the digital equivalent of escorting an employee off the premises — cutting off an employee’s email, slack or other business communication — instantly isolates the worker. While this may be an accepted (even prudent) approach for a variety of reasons (security, morale), a business should have a plan for providing key information – for example, a list of email addresses, cell phone (or other) numbers, and the manner in which an employee can contact the right person with questions. Next, the digital worker will need to know two things right away: first, how the worker must return (if at […]
Insurtech COVU Leverages OpenAI to Streamline Insurance Agency Operations
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– COVU , the only all-in-one AI-enabled digital platform for insurance agencies, has released a new executive forecast on the industry shift toward using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help insurance agencies streamline operations, customer service, and cross-selling opportunities. COVU is a pioneering insurtech startup that gives independent agencies comprehensive support and cutting-edge tools for managing the entire business and uncovering new revenue. COVU helps empower success in today’s dynamic market by giving agents access to the latest technologies in order to make efficient and well-informed decisions. COVU’s team of world-renowned insurance, finance, and technology innovators believe generative AI tools – like ChatGPT built by OpenAI – will play a significant factor in the digital transformation of the insurance industry in 2023. These new AI-powered tools have the potential to reduce customer service costs by up to 30% , which could save insurance agencies millions of dollars. “U.S. insurance agencies are falling drastically behind on the technology curve and it’s time to embrace the new digital era with innovative technologies that enhance business operations,” said Amir Kargar , co-founder and chief technical officer at COVU. “We are on the cusp of a groundbreaking development within […]
If I were FM: Dr Vikas Gupta highlights 7 suggestions for Budget 2023 to boost growth & digital transformation
To accelerate the growth of railways under the NRP 2030 I am increasing the budget to INR 2 lakh crore. The focus will be on accelerating the Dedicated Freight Corridors and also increasing the pace of the Bullet Train (high speed) and Vande Bharat (semi-high speed) railway projects. (As part of a Budget special series by ETMarkets.com, we reached out to money managers seeking their perspective on Budget 2023 with a simple question: What if I were the Finance Minister of India) Amrit Kaal Vision: The foremost thing to keep in mind as the FM would be the Amrit Kaal Vision of becoming a developed country. This goal should ideally be achieved within the next 10 years, but definitely within the next 25 years, meaning during the Amrit Kaal. Power and Electricity: One of the basic requirements to electrify a fast-growing economy is Power and Electricity. To ensure the availability of ample power and with a focus on renewables, I will be increasing the budget allocation to the power sector. Renewable energy will get higher allocations. The financing will partly be via sovereign green bonds. Accelerate Growth of Railways: It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Railways […]
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Bed Bath & Beyond’s decline breeds opportunity for Michigan retail centers
Michigan still has 20 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, after recent closings. Unclear is how they’ll fare as the chain considers bankruptcy and hunts for a buyer. (Courtesy photo) As Bed Bath & Beyond eyes filing for bankruptcy protection, the fate of its 1,000 U.S. stores is unknown In Michigan, about 20 stores remain open If they close, other retailers are in line to fill the big-box retailer space, according to one Michigan developer Investors are nervously watching Bed Bath & Beyond as the value of the home product chain — which had about 1,000 stores and 32,000 employees across the U.S. a year ago — has plummeted 83 percent since March. The company is looking for a buyer and a lender as it careens toward possible bankruptcy this winter. Its stock now trades at $2.52 a share. The potential bankruptcy raises questions about the chain’s last 20 stores in Michigan — and what will happen to the large outdoor shopping centers that are home to them if Bed Bath & Beyond liquidates. Among earlier examples that sent ripple effects across U.S. retail properties was the closing of Borders Inc. in 2011 and the downsizing of Toys R Us […]
This ‘best job’ of 2023 pays over $100K, offers remote opportunities and doesn’t require a degree
A growing wave of layoffs might be sweeping through Silicon Valley, but the hottest job on the market right now is in tech: full-stack developer. Full-stack developers claimed the top spot in Indeed’s annual ranking of the “best jobs” in the U.S., thanks to a strong 10-year outlook and increasing demand for these skilled professionals across several industries. Indeed also assessed salary and the percentage of remote/hybrid job opportunities, among other criteria. Not only does this job pay well — the average mean salary for full-stack developers is $129,637, per Indeed’s research — but it also offers a lot of workplace flexibility. At least 50% of the listings for full-stack developers on Indeed’s database have remote or hybrid options. The demand for full-stack developers, whose main responsibilities include building the front end and back end of a website or application, writing code and maintaining the software, has transcended the tech sector in recent months. “We’re seeing the highest job availability and opportunity for full stack developers, almost twice as much as any other roles on this list,” Kristen Shah, a career expert at Indeed, says. “When it comes down to it, every company today is a tech company — […]
Targets of Opportunity: How Ransomware Groups Find Victims
Image: Shutterstock As ransomware continues to pummel numerous sectors, how does any given organization end up becoming a target or victim? Organizations in some geographies are more likely to fall victim. Cybersecurity firm Group-IB reports that from July 2021 through June 2022, 43% of known ransomware attacks hit U.S. organizations. Next in line were Germany, the U.K., Canada, Italy and France. Some sectors also appear to fall victim more than others. Last quarter, ransomware incident response firm Coveware reported seeing most victims hail from the public sector, followed by software services, healthcare , professional services and the materials sector. Comparing the last three months of 2022 to the third quarter, Coveware saw fewer professional services firms – including small law firms and financial services firms – getting hit, which it attributed to ransomware groups prioritizing larger, more lucrative targets (see: Ransomware Profits Dip as Fewer Victims Pay Extortion ). Some industries recorded a rise in attacks. In the second half of last year, in particular, known attacks against the manufacturing sector increased by 30%, reports cybersecurity firm Dragos . This sector counts everything from automotive firms and industrial equipment suppliers to electronics and aerospace. Cue this chicken-and-egg question: Do […]
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Phase 1 of LA County’s $54 Million Economic Opportunity Grant Program Now Open for Microbusinesses
Overview: The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has announced the launch of the Economic Opportunity Grant program for small and microbusinesses The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has announced the launch of the first phase of the Economic Opportunity Grant (EOG) program for small and microbusinesses, and non-profit agencies in LA County. EOG will award more than $54 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds across 6,800 grants in a phased rollout to regions and organizations adversely affected by COVID-19. Eligible grantees may be awarded between $2,500 and $25,000 and can access on-demand application assistance, one-on-one online and in-person technical support, and pipelines to other County programs, grants, and contracting opportunities available to support post-pandemic recovery. DEO has partnered with Lendistry and the L.A. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to create a central application portal for this grant and future grant opportunities, and to facilitate direct concierge support. During Phase One, LA County’s smallest and most vulnerable businesses under $50k in annual gross revenue will be able to apply for grants of $2,500, funded by the State. Phase Two, funded by ARPA, will also be available to microbusinesses but will expand to […]