NSF Safe-OSE: Cultivating a Security-Focused Community Infrastructure for Open Medical Records System (OpenMRS)

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $1,500,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) project focuses on OpenMRS, which serves as critical healthcare infrastructure for over 18 million patients across 40+ countries, functioning as the world's largest open-source electronic health records platform, particularly where healthcare access is most vulnerable. Across the healthcare sector, recent security vulnerabilities have exposed patient data to potential exploitation, with attacks on healthcare systems causing average losses exceeding $10 million per incident while disrupting life-saving medical services. This project addresses urgent security gaps in OpenMRS through comprehensive vulnerability management, developer security training, and community-driven security governance that will protect millions of patients' sensitive health information. The enhanced security framework will benefit populations who rely on safety-net healthcare providers using open-source systems, while strengthening U.S. emergency preparedness capabilities. By establishing security best practices for open-source healthcare software, this work creates a replicable model for protecting digital health infrastructure globally by ensuring that healthcare systems can access secure, sophisticated electronic health records without prohibitive costs. This Safe-OSE project focuses on advancing cybersecurity science through systematic integration of healthcare-specific Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) implementatio

Key facts

NSF award ID
2533208
Awardee
Indiana University (IN)
SAM.gov UEI
YH86RTW2YVJ4
PI
Saptarshi Purkayastha
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Smart and Connected Health, Cyber Secur - Cyberinfrastruc
Estimated total
$1,500,000
Funds obligated
$1,500,000
Transaction type
Cooperative Agreement
Period
10/01/2025 → 09/30/2027