Top healthcare cybersecurity concerns for 2025

The healthcare industry is more digitally connected than ever, handling vast amounts of sensitive patient data while relying on complex systems to deliver care. Despite the benefits of technology, the industry’s reliance has made it a target for cybercriminals. According to the Health-ISAC 2025 Health Sector Cyber Threat Report, ransomware, third-party vulnerabilities, and legacy systems are among healthcare organizations' biggest concerns this year. Addressing these threats requires a proactive, multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. Here’s what healthcare providers should be watching out for in 2025.

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware remains the most pressing cyber threat to the healthcare sector, with cybercriminals deliberately targeting hospitals and clinics that can't afford prolonged downtime. These organizations are often more likely to pay ransoms to restore access to critical systems, making them attractive targets. According to a 2024 report by the Ponemon Institute, 67% of healthcare organizations experienced a ransomware attack last year, with an average recovery cost of $10.1 million per breach, a clear indication of the immense financial and operational toll of these incidents.

How ransomware impacts healthcare

• Patient care disruptions: Locked-out systems delay surgeries, prescriptions, and critical treatments.
• Financial losses: Ransom payments, data recovery, and legal penalties add to the financial burden.
• Regulatory consequences: Ransomware attacks often lead to HIPAA violations, exposing organizations to fines and lawsuits.

How to reduce the risk: Implement advanced security frameworks, conduct regular data backups, and invest in real-time threat detection systems to catch intrusions before they escalate.

Read more: What is ransomware? 

Third-party vendor risks

Healthcare providers rely on external vendors for software, cloud services, and medical devices, but supply chain vulnerabilities continue to be a major entry point for cyberattacks. In 2024, the healthcare sector faced multiple data breaches, many of which stemmed from third-party vendors. Attackers often exploit weaker security measures in vendor networks to infiltrate hospital systems, access patient data, and compromise financial records, making supply chain security a concern.

Vulnerabilities in vendor security

• Weak cybersecurity controls: Many vendors lack the stringent security protocols required in healthcare.
• Limited oversight: Organizations often have minimal control over how vendors manage sensitive data.
• Regulatory compliance issues: A data breach at a third-party provider could expose hospitals to HIPAA violations.

How to reduce the risk: Conduct thorough risk assessments before onboarding vendors, require adherence to strict security standards, and continuously monitor third-party access to sensitive systems.

Read also: What is vendor compromise? 

Legacy systems and outdated technology

Many hospitals rely on outdated software and medical devices never built to withstand modern cybersecurity threats. According to the HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Survey, over 75% of healthcare organizations still use legacy systems that lack necessary security patches, exposing them to potential exploitation. Without regular updates and protections, these outdated systems create significant vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit.

Why legacy systems are a security risk

• Lack of security updates: Many older systems no longer receive software patches, exposing them to known exploits.
• Compatibility issues: Legacy technology often struggles to integrate with modern security tools.
• Disruption risks: Replacing legacy systems can be costly and time-consuming, making organizations hesitant to upgrade.

How to reduce the risk: Implement network segmentation, use virtual patching, and prioritize phased upgrades to replace vulnerable systems over time.

See more: Securing legacy systems within healthcare 

Compliance with data privacy regulations

Healthcare organizations must comply with strict data privacy laws, including HIPAA in the U.S. and GDPR in Europe, as regulatory bodies continue to strengthen security requirements to address growing cyber threats. In 2025, new amendments to HIPAA will introduce more stringent breach reporting requirements and mandate multi-factor authentication for accessing electronic health records, increasing the need for stronger cybersecurity measures.

Common compliance challenges

• Changing regulations: Keeping up with frequent changes in laws requires continuous monitoring and adaptation.
• Resource constraints: Compliance audits, cybersecurity training, and technical safeguards require investments.
• Balancing security and access: Restricting access to sensitive data without disrupting workflow is a constant challenge.

How to reduce the risk: Implement automated compliance tracking tools, conduct routine security audits, and educate staff on data privacy best practices.

Phishing and insider threats

Human error continues to be one of the biggest risks to healthcare cybersecurity. Phishing attacks and social engineering scams often deceive employees into revealing login credentials or unknowingly installing malware. According to Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of healthcare cyber incidents involved mistakes made by individuals, with phishing serving as the most common entry point for attackers.

Why phishing and insider threats are dangerous

• High-stress work environments: Busy medical staff are more likely to fall for deceptive emails.
• Excessive access permissions: Employees often have more access to sensitive data than they need, increasing insider threat risks.
• Lack of training: Many healthcare organizations underinvest in cybersecurity awareness programs.

How to reduce the risk: Implement phishing simulations, enforce least-privilege access policies, and establish strong authentication measures to prevent unauthorized access.

See also: The danger of unintentional insiders 

Strengthening cybersecurity in healthcare

The healthcare sector faces a growing cybersecurity crisis, but there are steps organizations can take to strengthen their defenses:

• Adopt AI-powered threat detection: Real-time monitoring and automated security tools help detect and neutralize cyber threats before they cause damage.
• Enhance third-party risk management: Require vendors to meet strict security compliance standards and conduct regular audits.
• Develop a legacy system upgrade plan: Implement phased updates, network segmentation, and virtualization to secure outdated technology.
• Stay ahead of regulatory changes: Proactively adapt to new HIPAA and GDPR compliance rules to avoid penalties.
• Invest in workforce cybersecurity training: Educate employees on identifying phishing attempts and insider threats to minimize human error risks.

Understanding the benefits of cybersecurity in healthcare

Protecting patient data

Healthcare organizations are targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit protected health information and financial records. A study on Healthcare Data Breaches: Insights and Implications warns that “E-health data is highly susceptible, as it is targeted most frequently by attackers.” Breaches occur through hacking, theft, unauthorized internal disclosures, and improper disposal of sensitive data. Cybersecurity measures such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and strict access controls help reduce these risks and protect patient trust.

Ensuring regulatory compliance

According to the HHS, organizations must “conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities” to safeguard electronic health information. Failing to meet HIPAA or GDPR requirements can result in severe fines and legal consequences. Integrating cybersecurity into daily operations helps healthcare providers stay ahead of changing regulations while reducing their exposure to compliance risks.

Preventing disruptions to patient care

Cyberattacks can bring healthcare operations to a standstill, delaying diagnosis, treatment plans, and emergency interventions. Ransomware incidents have locked providers out of systems, forcing cancellations of surgeries and putting lives at risk. Implementing security protocols helps healthcare organizations ensure continuity of care and maintain reliable access to patient records, medical devices, and main services.

In the news

In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a groundbreaking $50 million initiative to strengthen cybersecurity measures in hospitals. Named the Universal PatchinG and Remediation for Autonomous DEfense (UPGRADE) program, it aimed to fortify entire systems and networks of medical devices, providing scalable solutions to combat digital threats. Led by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the initiative sought proposals from the private sector to develop advanced vulnerability mitigation software platforms and automated detection systems. It also tries to create digital replicas of hospital equipment for emergency testing and deployment, along with customizable defenses tailored specifically for healthcare facilities.

The launch of the UPGRADE program coincided with a surge in cyber incidents targeting the healthcare sector. Recent attacks, including one on the nonprofit healthcare system Ascension, had prompted White House officials and Congress to call for legislative action to address the growing threat. The UPGRADE initiative marked a step toward that goal, promising rapid and automated patch deployment to protect both hospital staff and patients.

FAQs

How can small healthcare providers improve cybersecurity without large budgets?

Smaller providers can leverage cost-effective solutions like cloud-based security services, open-source cybersecurity tools, and partnerships with larger healthcare networks for shared security resources.

What are the biggest misconceptions about cybersecurity in healthcare?

Many believe cybersecurity is purely an IT issue, but human error is a major factor. Another misconception is that smaller healthcare organizations are not targets—attackers often exploit weaker defenses in smaller clinics and vendors.

How do cyber insurance policies help healthcare organizations manage risks?

Cyber insurance can provide financial protection against ransomware attacks, data breaches, and regulatory fines. However, insurers increasingly require organizations to meet strict security standards before offering coverage.

What emerging technologies are helping to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity?

AI-driven threat detection, blockchain for secure data sharing, and zero-trust security models are becoming more widely used to prevent unauthorized access and detect threats faster.

How can patients protect their own healthcare data from cyber threats?

Patients should use strong, unique passwords for patient portals, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid sharing personal health data on unsecured platforms, and monitor their medical records for suspicious activity.