One in Three Hospitals Confirm Cyber Incidents Directly Impacted Patient Care in Benchmark Findings
Post Summary
Cyberattacks on hospitals are putting lives at risk. Recent findings show that 1 in 3 hospitals in the U.S. have experienced cybersecurity breaches that disrupted patient care. These incidents cause canceled treatments, delayed diagnoses, and even life-threatening situations. Hackers target hospitals for their sensitive data and the urgency of healthcare operations, leading to severe consequences for patients and healthcare systems.
Key Points:
- Ransomware attacks force hospitals to shut down systems, delaying care and diverting emergencies.
- Phishing schemes compromise staff credentials, exposing patient records.
- Medical devices connected to networks can malfunction during attacks.
- Third-party vendors and outdated systems increase vulnerabilities.
- Financial damages include recovery costs, regulatory fines, and lost patient trust.
Real-World Impact:
For example, Frederick Health faced a ransomware attack in January 2025, affecting over 934,000 patients' data, canceling appointments, and disrupting operations.
Solution Highlights:
Hospitals must prioritize cybersecurity to protect patient care:
- Conduct risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities.
- Use AI tools for faster detection and response.
- Implement continuous monitoring and tailored response plans.
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue - it’s a direct threat to patient safety. Hospitals need to act now to safeguard both their systems and the lives they serve.
The Impact of Ransomware on Hospitals and Patient Care with Hannah Neprash, PhD
How Often Cyber Attacks Hit Hospitals and Their Effects
Cyber threats targeting U.S. hospitals are becoming more frequent and complex, posing risks not just to IT systems but also to patient safety.
Key Numbers from Benchmark Studies
Studies reveal that a significant number of hospitals have experienced cyber incidents that disrupted patient care. While exact figures vary, the data highlights a troubling trend: hospitals are facing an increasing number of attacks each week. Among these, ransomware stands out as a major issue, often leading to the exposure of sensitive patient information. Recovery efforts following such attacks frequently delay patient care, setting the stage for a closer look at the types of cyber threats that directly impact healthcare services.
Common Cyber Attacks That Harm Patient Care
Ransomware attacks are among the most damaging threats to hospitals. These attacks encrypt vital systems and demand payment to restore access. During such crises, hospitals may be forced to shut down networks, divert emergency patients, and postpone scheduled treatments, causing immediate disruptions to care.
Phishing attacks are another widespread issue. Cybercriminals craft deceptive emails to trick healthcare staff into revealing login credentials or installing malware. Once attackers gain access, they can compromise patient records and critical systems, often going undetected for long periods.
Medical device vulnerabilities create additional risks. Many devices, like insulin pumps, pacemakers, and ventilators, rely on network connectivity. If attackers exploit these devices, the resulting malfunctions or connectivity issues can endanger patients who depend on them for continuous monitoring.
Insider threats - whether intentional or accidental - pose a unique challenge. Employees with authorized access can misuse their privileges to expose patient data or disrupt operations. These incidents are particularly hard to detect because they originate from trusted individuals within the organization.
Supply chain attacks target third-party vendors that hospitals depend on for various services. A breach in a vendor’s system can ripple across multiple healthcare organizations, affecting everything from billing systems to medical device management. These attacks can lead to widespread disruptions in services.
Financial Costs and Operational Damage
The financial toll of cyber attacks on hospitals is staggering. Healthcare data breaches rank among the most expensive across all industries. Beyond immediate expenses like system recovery, hospitals face additional costs from canceled procedures, overtime for manual workarounds, and investments in stronger cybersecurity measures.
Regulatory fines for HIPAA violations can add to these financial burdens, reflecting the severity of data breaches and the adequacy of the hospital’s response. On top of that, cyber incidents often lead to increased insurance premiums and a loss of patient trust, which can result in fewer admissions and elective procedures.
Operationally, system downtimes force hospitals to revert to manual processes, slowing down patient care. Delays in lab testing, medication administration, and overall patient throughput can have a cascading effect, disrupting care not just within the hospital but also across its broader network of facilities. These challenges underscore the critical need for robust cybersecurity in healthcare.
U.S. hospitals are grappling with cybersecurity challenges that threaten not just sensitive data but also the critical care they provide. While other industries might withstand temporary downtime, hospitals simply can’t. Their constant need to operate makes them a prime target for cyberattacks. Let’s take a closer look at why hospitals are particularly vulnerable.
Outdated Systems and Tight Budgets
Many hospitals still rely on aging IT systems running older operating systems that no longer receive updates or security patches. This leaves them exposed to emerging threats.
Adding to the problem, healthcare organizations often allocate only a small portion of their budgets to IT, and cybersecurity gets an even smaller slice. With limited funds, upgrading essential systems often gets delayed, which increases the risk of breaches. On top of that, staffing shortages and a lack of cybersecurity specialists mean hospitals frequently depend on general IT staff who may not have the expertise needed to address security threats effectively.
Risks from IoMT and Unsecured Medical Devices
The rise of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has revolutionized patient care, but it has also introduced new security risks. Hospitals now manage a web of interconnected devices - like imaging systems, patient monitors, and infusion pumps - that can each serve as a gateway for cyberattacks.
Manufacturers often focus on functionality and compliance rather than security, leading to issues like default passwords, weak encryption, and limited patching options. Many of these devices are difficult - or even impossible - to update, leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed over time. When these devices are linked to broader hospital networks for data sharing, a single compromised device could potentially expose critical systems to attackers. Wireless connectivity, while convenient, adds yet another layer of risk, as it can open the door to remote exploits.
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Security Gaps with Third-Party Vendors
Hospitals rely heavily on third-party vendors for everything from electronic health record systems to various support services, which broadens their attack surface. The more deeply integrated these vendors are, the greater the risk when something goes wrong.
Unfortunately, many hospitals lack robust vendor risk management programs, which means vulnerabilities in the supply chain often go unnoticed until after an incident occurs. The growing use of cloud-based services adds another layer of complexity, as hospitals may have limited visibility into how vendors are securing their systems. While legal agreements like Business Associate Agreements offer some protection, they don’t prevent breaches or the operational disruptions that often follow.
Modern healthcare is so interconnected that a single vendor breach can ripple across multiple hospitals, disrupting access to vital systems and jeopardizing patient care.
Hospital Cyber Attack Case Studies
Cyber attacks targeting U.S. hospitals create immediate disruptions and leave behind long-term challenges.
Case Study: Frederick Health Ransomware Attack
On January 27, 2025, Frederick Health Medical Group - one of the largest employers in Frederick County with around 4,000 staff across more than 25 locations - fell victim to a ransomware attack that sent shockwaves through the community [1].
Hackers infiltrated a shared server, stealing files before deploying ransomware that encrypted the organization’s IT systems. This forced Frederick Health to shut down its systems temporarily [1].
The attack had wide-ranging consequences. It caused appointment cancellations, a temporary shutdown of the Frederick Health Village Laboratory, restricted operations at multiple locations, and activated "mini disaster status", which included diverting ambulances to other facilities [1].
The breach exposed sensitive information for 934,326 patients. This included personal details like names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, as well as medical records, insurance information, and clinical data. Notifications to affected individuals began in late March 2025, nearly two months after the attack [1][2].
"We take this incident very seriously and deeply regret any inconvenience or concern it may have caused. To help prevent a similar incident in the future, we have implemented and will continue to adopt additional safeguards to further protect and monitor our systems." - Frederick Health [2]
This incident highlights the critical importance of robust cybersecurity protocols for healthcare organizations to safeguard patient data and maintain uninterrupted care.
How to Reduce Cyber Risks in Healthcare
Recent studies reveal that one in three hospitals experience cyber incidents that directly impact patient care. This reality underscores the urgent need for proactive strategies to manage cybersecurity risks in healthcare. Below are practical approaches to assess vulnerabilities, automate protections, and maintain consistent risk management.
Conduct Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Benchmarking
A thorough risk assessment is the bedrock of any strong cybersecurity strategy. It helps uncover weaknesses across systems, devices, and third-party connections, enabling organizations to address vulnerabilities effectively.
Censinet RiskOps™ simplifies the process of assessing risks across enterprises and third-party vendors, while also benchmarking security measures against industry standards. This allows healthcare organizations to pinpoint gaps in their defenses and prioritize fixes based on real-world risk levels.
For hospitals, managing risks tied to patient data, protected health information (PHI), clinical applications, medical devices, and supply chains is critical. Centralized risk management offers a clear view of the entire security landscape, making it easier to act decisively.
Third-party vendor risks are especially concerning. Hospitals often collaborate with hundreds of vendors, ranging from electronic health record systems to medical device manufacturers. Each of these connections can serve as a potential entry point for cyberattacks, making vendor assessments a key priority.
Leverage Automated Workflows and AI for Risk Assessment
The complexity of modern healthcare systems makes manual risk assessments impractical. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) offer a powerful solution, enabling faster and more precise evaluations.
Censinet AITM transforms the risk assessment process by cutting down questionnaire times from weeks to mere seconds. The system summarizes evidence, extracts critical integration details, and generates concise risk reports, all while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
Importantly, this process combines automation with human oversight. Risk teams can set rules and review results, ensuring that automated tools enhance rather than replace strategic decision-making.
AI also fosters collaboration among Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) teams. Acting like an "air traffic control" system, it routes key findings and tasks to the right stakeholders, including AI governance committees, for review and action. This ensures that critical risks are addressed efficiently.
By adopting AI-powered risk assessments, healthcare organizations can mitigate risks faster and more effectively, freeing up security teams to focus on broader, strategic goals instead of being bogged down by administrative tasks.
Implement Continuous Monitoring and Tailored Incident Response Plans
Static risk assessments provide only a snapshot in time. Continuous monitoring, on the other hand, offers ongoing protection by identifying new threats as they emerge and triggering automated alerts for swift action.
In healthcare, incident response plans must be tailored to prioritize patient safety. These plans should safeguard critical systems, establish backup communication methods, and coordinate with clinical teams to minimize disruptions during an attack.
Centralized command centers can enhance risk management by aggregating real-time data into user-friendly dashboards. This setup ensures that the right teams are alerted to the right issues at the right time, promoting accountability and effective governance across the organization.
Proactive threat detection - such as monitoring network traffic, user behavior, and unusual activity - can stop attacks before they escalate, providing a strong line of defense for healthcare systems.
Conclusion: Better Cybersecurity Protects Patient Care
Did you know that one in three hospitals experience cyber incidents that disrupt patient care? These attacks can delay treatments, cancel critical procedures, and even put lives in jeopardy. For healthcare leaders, this is a call to act - immediately.
Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue; it's a matter of patient safety. It deserves the same attention and investment as any other clinical priority. When these breaches occur, the aftermath often involves grueling recovery efforts and can compromise the quality of care. The human and operational toll is staggering.
To counter these threats, hospitals need to rethink their approach. Moving away from reactive fixes toward proactive strategies is key. This means conducting regular risk assessments, leveraging automated monitoring tools, and continuously strengthening defenses. The days of relying on annual security reviews and manual processes are over - modern threats demand modern solutions.
One option is Censinet RiskOps™, a platform that uses AI-driven assessments and expert oversight. It quickly identifies vulnerabilities across the board, from medical devices to third-party vendors, enabling healthcare teams to focus on protecting what matters most.
With legacy systems, tight budgets, and intricate vendor relationships, healthcare organizations face unique challenges. Generic cybersecurity solutions simply aren't enough when patient lives hang in the balance.
The path forward lies in collaboration, continuous monitoring, and leveraging advanced technologies. Hospitals that adopt comprehensive risk management platforms, develop strong incident response plans, and maintain constant vigilance are best equipped to safeguard both their patients and their operations.
The message is clear: the latest findings serve as a wake-up call. Taking decisive steps now can transform cybersecurity from a vulnerability into a strength, ensuring technology supports - and never threatens - patient care.
FAQs
What are the most common cyberattacks on hospitals, and how do they affect patient care?
Hospitals are often targeted by cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and malware, each of which can seriously impact patient care.
Ransomware can freeze access to critical systems and patient records, delaying treatments and diagnoses - delays that can directly affect patient safety. Phishing schemes trick staff into sharing sensitive information, opening the door to unauthorized access and causing operational chaos. Malware, on the other hand, can disable vital systems, further hampering care and putting lives at risk.
These attacks do more than compromise patient data - they disrupt the ability to provide timely and effective healthcare. This highlights just how essential strong cybersecurity measures are for protecting both data and patient well-being.
What steps can hospitals take to strengthen their cybersecurity and protect patient care?
Hospitals can strengthen their cybersecurity by conducting regular risk assessments to uncover weak points and by enforcing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized entry into critical systems. Additionally, encrypting patient data and ensuring round-the-clock network monitoring are key steps to safeguarding sensitive information.
To minimize potential threats, hospitals should utilize automated security tools, maintain secure data backups (either offline or in the cloud), and establish a comprehensive incident response plan. Equipping staff with ongoing training on cybersecurity practices is another crucial step to reduce errors that could lead to breaches. These measures play a vital role in safeguarding patient information and preserving trust in healthcare services.
What financial and operational challenges do hospitals face after a cyber incident?
Hospitals targeted by cyberattacks often endure hefty financial setbacks, with the average cost of a data breach expected to surpass $10 million by 2025. These expenses can stem from various sources, such as ransom payments, legal proceedings, regulatory penalties, and revenue losses caused by disruptions to daily operations.
On the operational side, the impact can be equally devastating. Cyberattacks can bring hospital functions to a standstill - delaying treatments, canceling appointments, and jeopardizing patient safety. The road to recovery can stretch over weeks or even months, further exhausting resources and diminishing the quality of care patients rely on.
