Cybersecurity Healthcare: Protecting Patients, Data, and Critical Systems

Healthcare has become one of the most targeted sectors for cyber attacks — and one of the least able to afford disruption. The rise in ransomware attacks, data breaches, and connected medical devices has pushed cybersecurity in healthcare from an IT concern to a patient safety issue. These cyber attacks can directly impact patient safety by disrupting care delivery, compromising healthcare operations, and threatening the integrity of medical information.

According to the IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report, healthcare breaches remain the most expensive of any industry for the 13th year running. The sector’s dependence on continuous access to medical records, diagnostics, and critical infrastructure makes it a primary target for threat actors seeking ransom or data exploitation. The average cost of a healthcare breach is $9.23 million, more than twice the average for all industries.

Modern healthcare organizations must now treat cybersecurity not as compliance, but as a core component of clinical care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plays a central role in coordinating the healthcare industry’s cyber defenses. Through its human services office, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), HHS works to safeguard protected health information (PHI) and maintain operational continuity across healthcare facilities.

HHS collaborates with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI to issue joint cybersecurity advisories that warn providers about ongoing ransomware campaigns, phishing attempts, and emerging vulnerabilities targeting health systems.

The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC), a public-private partnership supported by HHS, also develops voluntary guidance for healthcare delivery organizations, medical device companies, and human services agencies to improve cybersecurity resilience across the national health ecosystem.

The healthcare sector is classified as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, alongside energy, finance, and communications. Its data — particularly patient information and intellectual property related to medical research — is a valuable commodity on the dark web. The high value of patient data makes healthcare a prime target for cybercriminals, priced at 10 to 20 times more than credit card data on the dark web. Stolen data from healthcare breaches is often sold or leaked, increasing risks for both patients and organizations.

In 2024, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and HHS reported a surge in attacks targeting hospitals and health systems. Attackers increasingly exploit remote access software, legacy operating systems, and third-party vendors to gain unauthorized access to healthcare data.

Every hospital and clinic, as health care organizations, must now balance two imperatives: protecting patient privacy and maintaining the availability of care during an attack.

Healthcare’s vulnerability stems from its complexity. Legacy systems, third-party integrations, and connected medical devices all expand the attack surface. Many healthcare providers still rely on outdated software or insecure network configurations — conditions that make cyber incidents both predictable and preventable. Additionally, healthcare providers face third-party vendor risks, as breaches in partner organizations can expose secure healthcare systems.

Common threats include:

To address these vulnerabilities, healthcare organizations should develop and implement comprehensive risk mitigation strategies. These strategies help identify, assess, and reduce risks as part of an overall risk management approach.

Healthcare organizations must implement multi-layered security strategies to effectively protect against ransomware and other cyber threats.

Reports from CISA and the Health-ISAC emphasize that human error and underfunded IT teams remain key vulnerabilities across healthcare networks. Health organizations often allocate a smaller percentage of their budgets to IT and cybersecurity, prioritizing patient care. Phishing scams are a common threat in healthcare, tricking employees into revealing sensitive information.

The healthcare industry’s role in public welfare means cyberattacks have direct consequences for national security. As a critical infrastructure sector, healthcare falls under the oversight of CISA, which acts as the Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA) for health.

Recent national intelligence assessments, including statements from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have highlighted the increasing threat of cyberattacks — such as ransomware — targeting the healthcare sector.

CISA and HHS coordinate responses through the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) and the Cybersecurity Working Group, which support vulnerability assessments, incident response, and resilience planning for healthcare delivery systems.

Cyber threats against hospitals are not only about data theft — they are about patient outcomes, public confidence, and the integrity of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

Healthcare organizations are adopting structured frameworks to strengthen their security posture. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) remains the cornerstone for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents.

HHS and CISA jointly developed the Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs), which provide practical, prioritized steps for healthcare organizations of all sizes.

Best practices include:

By pairing technical safeguards with employee training, organizations can foster a security-first culture that protects both data and patients.

At the heart of every healthcare cybersecurity strategy lies data — the foundation of patient trust. Electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory systems, and billing platforms contain highly sensitive information that, if compromised, can lead to identity theft, regulatory fines, and damaged reputation. Insider threats can compromise sensitive information, either accidentally or maliciously.

The HIPAA Security Rule, enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights, sets baseline requirements for protecting PHI. Compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA is critical for safeguarding patient data. Secure health information sharing practices are also essential for maintaining patient safety and privacy amid cyber threats. Yet true security goes beyond compliance. Strong access controls, data encryption, and zero-trust architecture are essential to protecting sensitive healthcare data in a constantly evolving threat landscape. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) prescribes limiting access to authorized users.

Healthcare providers face the dual challenge of maintaining clinical continuity while defending against cyber threats. Downtime caused by attacks can delay treatments, disrupt surgeries, and endanger patient outcomes. Ransomware attacks can disrupt patient care, leading to canceled tests and procedures. To address these risks, healthcare organizations need strategies that enable them to effectively care for patients even during cyber incidents.

Hospitals are investing in network segmentation, identity governance, and endpoint monitoring to detect anomalies before they impact care. The American Hospital Association recommends integrating cyber resilience into emergency preparedness and continuity planning to ensure care delivery even under digital duress.

Cybersecurity is now directly tied to patient safety.

The surge in connected medical devices — from pacemakers to imaging systems — has created new vulnerabilities. Many devices run outdated software and lack modern encryption protocols, making them potential entry points for attackers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires medical device manufacturers to include cybersecurity measures during product design and deployment. Companies must maintain a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), enable patch management, and share vulnerabilities with healthcare customers through coordinated disclosure.

Healthcare facilities can further reduce exposure by isolating medical devices on segmented networks and enforcing strict access controls.

In the healthcare industry, employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats. As healthcare organizations remain a primary target for cybercriminals, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness is essential to protecting sensitive patient data and ensuring patient safety. Regular, comprehensive training programs help staff recognize and respond to phishing attempts, suspicious activity, and other common attack vectors that can lead to cyber incidents.

The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) strongly advocates for ongoing cybersecurity awareness and training for all personnel — clinical and non-clinical alike. By equipping employees with the knowledge to identify threats and understand the value of patient data, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other cyber incidents. Empowered staff are more likely to report anomalies and follow best practices, making them a critical asset in the fight to safeguard patient information and maintain trust in the healthcare system.

When a cyber incident strikes — whether it’s a ransomware attack or a data breach — swift and coordinated action is vital to protect patient care and sensitive data. Healthcare organizations must have robust incident response plans in place, as recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other human services agencies. These plans should outline clear procedures for detecting, containing, and eradicating threats, as well as restoring affected systems and data.

Effective incident response also involves timely communication with patients, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders. By practicing and refining their response strategies, healthcare organizations can minimize the impact of cyber incidents, reduce downtime, and maintain patient trust. Proactive planning not only helps organizations recover quickly from a cyber incident but also demonstrates a commitment to patient safety and regulatory compliance in the face of evolving threats.

The interconnected nature of the healthcare sector means that no organization can stand alone against cyber threats. Collaboration and information sharing are essential for building collective resilience across the healthcare and public health sector, as well as with other critical infrastructure sectors. By participating in initiatives like the Cybersecurity Working Group of the Health Sector Coordinating Council, healthcare organizations can exchange threat intelligence, share best practices, and coordinate responses to emerging cyber incidents.

Engaging with public health sector partners and other critical infrastructure sectors — such as finance and energy — enables healthcare organizations to learn from broader industry experiences and strengthen their own defenses. This collaborative approach not only enhances patient safety and public health but also ensures that the healthcare industry remains agile and prepared to address new and evolving cyber threats.

True resilience in healthcare means being able to operate through an attack — not just recover afterward. Hospitals and health systems are building robust incident response and recovery capabilities, emphasizing real-time backups, offline storage, and communication redundancy. Create and practice a detailed incident response plan to manage security incidents effectively.

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) and Health-ISAC help hospitals exchange threat intelligence and early warnings, strengthening the sector’s collective response.

Cyber resilience is not a one-time investment; it’s a continuous discipline that ensures patient safety remains intact, even when systems fail.

The financial consequences of cyber incidents — ranging from data breaches to ransomware attacks — can be devastating for healthcare organizations. Regulatory fines, legal costs, and reputational damage can quickly add up, making risk management a top priority. Cybersecurity insurance has emerged as a vital tool for mitigating the financial fallout of cyber threats, providing coverage for costs associated with data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends that healthcare organizations incorporate cybersecurity insurance into their broader risk management strategies. Regular risk assessments help identify vulnerabilities and inform decisions about coverage needs. By proactively managing cyber risk and investing in insurance, healthcare organizations can better protect themselves from the unpredictable costs of cyber incidents, safeguard their reputation, and maintain the trust of patients and partners.

The future of health care cybersecurity depends on coordination. Hospitals, insurers, government agencies, and medical device companies must share intelligence and align standards.

Through partnerships like the Health Sector Coordinating Council and CISA’s public-private collaboration model, the industry is fostering collective defense — ensuring that one organization’s lesson learned becomes another’s prevention.

Cybersecurity is now seen as a shared responsibility across the healthcare ecosystem, uniting IT, compliance, and clinical leaders under a common goal: protecting patients and data.

The joint Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) by HHS and CISA serve as a measurable roadmap for organizations to assess progress and prioritize improvements. These goals address critical areas like access control, incident detection, and data protection — ensuring healthcare systems meet baseline resilience expectations.

By benchmarking against CPGs and the NIST CSF, organizations can continuously evaluate their defenses and identify areas for improvement.

Medical records remain the crown jewels of the healthcare system — and the most lucrative target for cybercriminals. A single record can sell for hundreds of dollars on the black market, giving attackers a strong financial motive.

Healthcare systems are embracing passwordless authentication and device-based security solutions like Everykey Echo to eliminate the risks associated with stolen credentials. Strong encryption, granular access controls, and continuous monitoring are also becoming standard defenses. Continuous monitoring is essential for detecting threats promptly in healthcare organizations.

Protecting medical records is not just about privacy — it’s about maintaining trust in modern medicine.

Cybersecurity in healthcare is inseparable from patient safety. From HHS and CISA to individual hospitals and clinics, every entity has a role to play in defending against emerging cyber risks.

By investing in technology, collaboration, and policy alignment, the healthcare sector can transform cybersecurity from a regulatory burden into a strategic advantage — one that protects patients, data, and the integrity of care.

Because healthcare systems handle sensitive patient data, a single breach can disrupt care, compromise privacy, and impact patient outcomes.

Ransomware, phishing, data theft, and vulnerabilities in connected medical devices are among the most frequent and damaging threats.

HHS collaborates with CISA, the FBI, and the Health Sector Coordinating Council to share intelligence, set standards, and respond to major incidents.

Start by enabling multi-factor authentication, encrypting data, segmenting networks, and conducting regular security assessments.

Yes. Devices with outdated or unpatched software can be exploited, potentially affecting patient safety or clinical operations.

CPGs offer a prioritized checklist for healthcare organizations to assess their cybersecurity maturity and align with national resilience goals.

Through proactive risk management, real-time backups, staff training, and participating in information-sharing initiatives like Health-ISAC and MS-ISAC.

Absolutely. Protecting systems and data ensures that patient care remains uninterrupted and accurate — even in the face of a cyberattack.