Houston Methodist faces increased cybersecurity threats every day. Unfortunately, we live in a world where health care providers are primary targets for cybercriminals attempting to collect ransom or disrupt care.
Due to increased cybersecurity threats, effective immediately, if you have an HM-issued device, you’re required to use it to access all HM systems.
If you don’t have an HM-issued device, and you use the Access Portal to access our systems (access.houstonmethodist.org), you must adhere to Policy IM14. This policy requires that all devices connected to the HM network must have current software and antivirus and encryption protection. Please take the following steps immediately to ensure your personal devices are protected, and you’re adhering to this policy.
Confirm you have the most up-to-date antivirus software.
- If you have Windows 10 or 11 on your personal device, Microsoft Defender is already included. Important: Make sure Defender is on.
- Other antivirus options you may also want to install and have actively running on your devices include McAfee, Norton, Avast, Malwarebytes and Bitdefender.
Keep your personal device up to date by applying all Microsoft and Apple updates.
- Turn the auto-update feature on.
- To find out if you have this enabled, review this tip sheet.
