Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Continuing forward stronger than before

Cyberattacks on hospital systems across the United States are becoming increasingly frequent. These attacks have resulted in major disruptions to patient care and breaches of financial information and other sensitive information, despite significant investments in cybersecurity. The current landscape demonstrates a critical need for a new approach — one that combines protective measures with enhanced resilience.

Leading hospital systems have been working closely with accentedge to implement resilience protocols, ensuring that the impact of cyberattacks on patient care and hospital operations remains minimal. This approach not only secures healthcare services, but also diminishes cybercriminal incentives by eliminating financial gain as the sole objective of these attacks.

At this event, accentedge will share insights into this transformative approach, drawing parallels with other critical infrastructure sectors like power and telecommunications, where continuity is paramount. Joining an expert panel moderated by MATTER CEO Steven Collens, accentedge will collaborate with industry experts to help shape a resilient healthcare framework — one that safeguards patients, ensures operational stability and reinforces the foundation of our critical healthcare systems.

After the panel discussion, join us for a networking reception. Bevereges and light appetizers will be served.

Agenda (CT):

3:00pm | Welcoming remarks from MATTER and accentedge

3:10pm | Panel discussion

4:00pm | Overview of resilient healthcare infrastructure and wrap-up

4:10pm | Networking reception*

5:00pm | Event concludes

*Note: The networking reception is in-person only.

The in-person event and reception will be held on the 6th floor of the Merchandise Mart in the space, not the MATTER office. Upon entering the Merchandise Mart, locate the “Showcase Rooms” elevator by the South Lobby to take you to the 6th floor. Follow the “Meet on 6 Conference Center” signs to Auditorium A and B.

The live stream link will be shared closer to the event date.

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ABOUT THE PANELISTS

John Riggi

National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, American Hospital Association

John Riggi, having spent nearly 30 years as a highly decorated veteran of the FBI, serves as the first national advisor for cybersecurity and risk for the American Hospital Association and their 5000+ member hospitals. John leverages his distinctive experience at the FBI and CIA in the investigation and disruption of cyber threats, international organized crime and terrorist organizations to assist on related policy and advocacy issues. His trusted access to hospital leadership and government agencies enhances John’s national perspective and ability to provide uniquely informed risk advisory services. John’s national perspective is further informed by his direct role in assisting ransomware victim hospitals and health systems. On behalf of the AHA, John was a leading cybersecurity voice representing the Nation’s hospitals and health systems during the 2024 Change Healthcare cyber-attack, including testimony before Congress in April 2024. In 2023, John helped initiate and lead the joint HHS, healthcare sector hospital cyber resiliency report which led to the development of the voluntary healthcare cybersecurity performance goals. John represented the nation's hospitals in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on cyber threats to hospitals in Dec. 2020. This assisted in the passage of PL 116-321, providing regulatory relief for HIPAA covered victims of cyber-attacks. In 2021, John’s prominent advocacy encouraged the government to raise the investigative priority level of ransomware attacks to equal that of terrorist attacks. John initiated and co-led a national healthcare sector task group to develop resources to assist the field in managing cyber risk as an enterprise risk issue. John launched a national campaign with the AHA and government agencies to help members protect medical research against foreign threats. In various leadership roles at the FBI, John served as a representative to the White House Cyber Response Group, a senior representative to the CIA and was the national operations manager for terrorist financing investigations. John also led counterintelligence field surveillance programs in Washington DC and financial crimes and terrorist financing squads in New York City. John ultimately rose to the ranks of the Senior Executive Service and in that capacity led the FBI Cyber Division national program to develop mission critical partnerships with the healthcare and other critical infrastructure sectors. John held a national strategic role in the investigation of the largest cyber-attacks targeting healthcare and other sectors. He also served on the NY FBI SWAT Team for eight years. John is the recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Special Achievement in Counterterrorism and the CIA’s George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the CIAs highest award in this category. John presents extensively on cybersecurity and risk topics and is frequently interviewed by the media.

Syed Alam

Founder & CEO, accentedge

Syed Alam is a visionary entrepreneur and seasoned business leader recognized for his innovative approach to technology-driven solutions and his commitment to societal betterment. As the founder and CEO of accentedge, he spearheads transformative initiatives that bridge cutting-edge technology with critical societal challenges.

Born in Pakistan and flourishing in the United States, Syed’s journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence. His academic foundation in Business Administration, complemented by an MBA from Marquette University, laid the groundwork for a dynamic career in technology and business strategy. Early recognition by a leading Wisconsin corporation launched his trajectory in the tech industry, where he quickly emerged as a leader driving innovation and impact.

Over the years, Syed has founded several successful technology companies, addressing diverse challenges, including early cancer detection, cybersecurity solutions for hospital systems and enhancing democratic engagement through technology. His unique ability to integrate business success with philanthropy is evident in his initiatives, which emphasize shared prosperity and the empowerment of underserved communities. His charitable foundation provides women, children at risk and refugees with transformative skills and opportunities, embodying his vision of inclusive growth.

A passionate advocate for redefining the role of business in society, Syed champions a sustainable model where profit and purpose coexist seamlessly. His work underscores the belief that capitalism must evolve to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots, creating long-term prosperity for all stakeholders.

Syed’s leadership, combined with his unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for good, continues to inspire innovation and societal change across industries and communities.

Thomas P. Shanley, MD, FCCM

Dr. Thomas Shanley received his medical degree from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. He served as a resident and chief resident in Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He was an NIH Research Fellow under the auspices of the Pediatric Scientist Development Program at the University of Michigan in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Ward studying the regulation of inflammation in acute lung injury. Upon completing his pediatric critical care training, Dr. Shanley moved to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where he established a research program focused on signal transduction in critical illness and leveraged gene expression profiling in children with sepsis to gain insight into critical pathways affected by host-pathogen interactions.

He returned to the University of Michigan as Director of Critical Care in August 2004 and also served as the Director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Department of Pediatrics. In 2011, he was named Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research and Director of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research which housed the University’s Clinical Translational Science Award from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

In 2015, Dr. Shanley was named Chair and Founder’s Board Centennial Professor of Pediatrics of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and President and Chief Research Officer, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute. In December 2019, Dr. Shanley was elected by the Medical Center Board to subsume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

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ABOUT ACCENTEDGE

At accentedge, our mission is to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive transformative change across industries while making a positive societal impact. We aim to empower organizations with innovative digital transformation solutions that enhance efficiency, security and growth. Our commitment goes beyond commercial success; we seek to integrate our business initiatives with our philanthropic endeavors, ensuring that our contributions to society are as significant as our contributions to the market. Through continuous innovation, ethical practices and a relentless focus on customer success, we strive to build a future where technology serves as a force for good. For more information visit accentedge.com and follow @accentedge.

ABOUT MATTER

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.

Event Venue

222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, United States