The healthcare sector is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, making cyberattack preparation a critical priority. As hospitals, clinics, and health organizations rely heavily on interconnected digital systems, they become vulnerable to breaches that can disrupt operations, compromise patient safety—and lead to significant financial and reputational damage. The rising frequency and severity of cyberattacks in healthcare highlight the urgent need for robust preparation and prevention strategies.
The healthcare industry handles vast amounts of sensitive data, including patient medical records, insurance details, and financial information, making it a lucrative target for cybercriminals. There has been a surge in ransomware attacks, where hackers encrypt systems and demand payment for data restoration. Other threats include phishing, data breaches, and distributed denial-of-service attacks 1,2.
Recent years have seen several high-profile incidents that underline the severity of the issue. For instance, in 2021, the Irish Health Service Executive suffered a crippling ransomware attack that disrupted services nationwide, delaying appointments and surgeries while compromising sensitive patient data 3. Similarly, in 2022, a ransomware attack on CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest health systems in the U.S., led to widespread outages, forcing facilities to revert to paper-based operations 4.
The impact of cyberattacks on healthcare systems can be devastating. When digital systems are compromised, patient care is often directly affected. For example, delays in accessing medical records or diagnostic tools can postpone critical treatments, potentially putting lives at risk.
Data breaches expose sensitive patient information, leading to identity theft, fraud, and privacy violations. Beyond individual harm, healthcare organizations face legal repercussions, regulatory fines, and loss of trust among patients and stakeholders. Recovery from a major cyberattack can also be costly and time-consuming, often requiring significant resources to restore systems and strengthen defenses, making it important that healthcare organizations have sufficient preparations for preventing attacks or reducing their impact 5–7.
Several factors contribute to the healthcare sector’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. Outdated information technology infrastructure, insufficient cybersecurity budgets, and a lack of trained personnel are common weaknesses. Additionally, the urgency and complexity of healthcare operations often make it difficult to prioritize cybersecurity measures without disrupting patient care.
The widespread adoption of telehealth and devices within the internet of medical things further expands avenues for attack. These technologies, while beneficial, introduce new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit 8,9.
To mitigate these risks, healthcare organizations must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This involves ensuring staff are educated about phishing, password hygiene, and other cybersecurity best practices. Regular updates to systems, including patching vulnerabilities in software and hardware, are essential to prevent exploitation. Sensitive data should be protected through encryption, both in transit and at rest, to minimize exposure during breaches. Organizations should also develop and routinely test incident response plans to quickly detect, contain, and recover from cyberattacks. Finally, collaboration with cybersecurity experts, industry peers, and government agencies is crucial to share threat intelligence and resources effectively 9–11.
Recent cyberattacks on healthcare systems underscore the importance of preparation. Looking ahead, the healthcare sector must balance technological innovation with cybersecurity investments. With rising cyber threats, preparedness is no longer optional but essential to protect patient safety, maintain trust, and ensure operational resilience in an increasingly digital world.
References
1. Lancet, T. Cyberattacks on health care—a growing threat. The Lancet 403, 2263 (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01074-2
2. Niki, O., Saira, G., Arvind, S. & Mike, D. Cyber-attacks are a permanent and substantial threat to health systems: Education must reflect that. Digit Health 8, 20552076221104665 (2022). DOI: 10.1177/20552076221104665
3. Faul, C. et al. Effect of the Cyberattack Targeting the Irish Health System in May 2021 on Radiation Treatment at St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network. Adv Radiat Oncol 7, 100993 (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2022.100993
4. Alder, S. CommonSpirit Health Increases Ransomware Attack Cost Estimate to $160 Million. The HIPAA Journal https://www.hipaajournal.com/commonspirit-health-increases-ransomware-attack-cost-estimate-to-160-million/ (2023).
5. Report explores effects of cyberattacks on patient care | TechTarget. Healthtech Security https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechsecurity/news/366613328/Report-explores-effects-of-cyberattacks-on-patient-care.
6. Seh, A. H. et al. Healthcare Data Breaches: Insights and Implications. Healthcare (Basel) 8, 133 (2020). DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8020133
7. Portela, D., Nogueira-Leite, D., Almeida, R. & Cruz-Correia, R. Economic Impact of a Hospital Cyberattack in a National Health System: Descriptive Case Study. JMIR Form Res 7, e41738 (2023). DOI: 10.2196/41738
8. Ewoh, P. & Vartiainen, T. Vulnerability to Cyberattacks and Sociotechnical Solutions for Health Care Systems: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 26, e46904 (2024). DOI: 10.2196/46904
9. He, Y., Aliyu, A., Evans, M. & Luo, C. Health Care Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions Under the Climate of COVID-19: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 23, e21747 (2021). DOI: 10.2196/21747
10. Alanazi, A. T. Clinicians’ Perspectives on Healthcare Cybersecurity and Cyber Threats. Cureus 15, e47026. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47026
11. Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Building strategies to protect your healthcare organization. Healthcare Dive https://www.healthcaredive.com/press-release/20241011-cybersecurity-in-healthcare-building-strategies-to-protect-your-healthcare-1/.