Digital innovations, including telehealth, interconnected medical devices, and cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs), are transforming the rapidly evolving healthcare sector. These advancements enhance patient care and operational efficiency but also introduce new vulnerabilities. In 2024, organizations faced an unprecedented number of cyberattacks, lower Customer Experience Index (CX Index™) scores, and strained relationships between health systems and insurers.
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To navigate this complex environment in 2025, the healthcare sector must prioritize cybersecurity while balancing operational efficiency and leveraging key technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid cloud, and advanced data analytics. Proactive strategies will be vital to effectively mitigate risks, streamline operations, and ensure high-quality care delivery in an increasingly interconnected world.
Security Priorities and Emerging Trends in Healthcare
With over 137 million individuals affected by the ten largest healthcare data breaches in 20242, the urgency to fortify cybersecurity has never been greater. The growing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats highlight the critical need for organizations to prioritize robust security measures. In an increasingly digital landscape, addressing these vulnerabilities is crucial to safeguarding patient trust and ensuring seamless care delivery:
Expanding threat perimeters
The adoption of digital systems and reliance on third-party vendors have widened the attack surface for healthcare organizations. This has made the sector one of the top targets for ransomware3, with rising risks linked to challenges including IoT devices, distributed users, and legacy systems. As these vulnerabilities grow, healthcare organizations must prioritize comprehensive threat management to safeguard critical systems and sensitive data.
What we’re seeing:
- Stricter incident reporting and response requirements under HIPAA and other regulations
- Increased scrutiny of third-party cybersecurity practices
- Growing risks from legacy systems and insufficient endpoint protection
Fragmented security systems
Many healthcare organizations rely on a disjointed mix of security tools, leading to inefficiencies and hidden vulnerabilities. This fragmented approach complicates threat detection and response while also increasing strain on already overburdened IT teams and budgets. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the need for integrated, streamlined solutions becomes increasingly critical.
What we’re seeing:
- Identifying and addressing gaps across disconnected systems
- Balancing daily operations with cybersecurity priorities
- Managing rising costs tied to maintaining multiple tools
Risks of AI adoption
AI is reshaping healthcare by enhancing patient care and improving operational efficiency. Analysts predict that by 2025, half of the top ten U.S. health insurers will leverage AI to enhance member advocacy.4 However, AI also introduces cybersecurity and ethical challenges, particularly as its adoption and scale continue to grow. These challenges highlight the need for careful implementation and oversight to fully harness AI’s potential while safeguarding sensitive data.
What we’re seeing:
- Increased targeting of AI systems by cybercriminals
- Stricter regulations surrounding AI use in healthcare
- Greater focus on ethical and secure deployment of AI technologies
Vulnerabilities in cloud-based EHRs
The shift to cloud-based EHRs has enabled more efficient data sharing, but it also introduces security challenges. Healthcare organizations must balance protection with usability in multi- and hybrid cloud environments, ensuring data is both accessible and secure. As systems expand, maintaining strong encryption protocols and managing access controls will be critical to protecting sensitive information.
Your Path to Cybersecurity Excellence
In a changing threat landscape, healthcare organizations must adopt a proactive approach to security. Success lies in implementing solutions that enhance protection, ensure compliance, and maintain patient trust. An effective cybersecurity strategy includes:
- Advanced threat detection to quickly identify and neutralize risks
- Robust endpoint protection to secure devices and sensitive data
- Seamless cloud migration planning and execution
- Compliance-focused IT strategies to navigate evolving regulations
- Proactive vulnerability management to mitigate risks before they escalate
Ntirety delivers end-to-end cybersecurity solutions tailored to the healthcare sector, combining unmatched expertise with comprehensive managed services. With Ntirety, organizations can safeguard sensitive data, meet regulatory standards, and maintain operational continuity in an increasingly complex environment.
Start your journey with a Vulnerability Assessment to identify gaps and build a roadmap for stronger protection and compliance.
1. Forrester, Predictions 2025: Healthcare Tackles Tough Terrain To Reach New Horizons, October 2024.
2. Tech Target, Ten largest healthcare breaches of 2024, December 2024.
3. Microsoft, US Healthcare at risk: Strengthening resiliency against ransomware attacks.
4. Forbes, Three Predictions For The Healthcare Industry In 2025, December 2024.
