Security controls in healthcare

Healthcare is one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks. As stated in the study A Comprehensive Survey of Cybersecurity Threats and Data Privacy Issues in Healthcare Systems, healthcare systems “have increasingly become targets of cyber-attacks, leading to disruptions of the services lasting from weeks to months,” with the number of incidents having tripled over the past decade. These attacks are not only more frequent but also more disruptive, often directly impacting patient care and operational continuity.

A major contributor is that medical records are rich in personally identifiable information (PII), financial data, and clinical histories, making them far more valuable on the black market than credit card numbers. According to EC-Council University in Healthcare Data Security in 2026: Protecting Sensitive Medical Information from Cyber Risks, “complete medical records reportedly sell for up to $1,000 or more on dark web marketplaces.” This makes healthcare organizations particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking high returns.

The role of security controls in the healthcare industry goes beyond compliance; it is about building a robust, patient-centric security framework. By implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving these controls, healthcare organizations do more than meet legal requirements; they show a genuine commitment to safeguarding patient data.

What are security controls?

Security controls are the safeguards and measures implemented to protect sensitive information, systems, and organizational assets from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and physical damage. According to a ScienceDirect article titled Cyber-Attacks on Hospital Systems: A Narrative Review, these measures are “implemented to protect information, organizational assets, and software applications from various cyber-attacks and threats.” In healthcare, this includes protecting electronic health records (EHRs), medical devices, and communication systems that are commonly used in patient care.

According to the article Security Concept by ScienceDirect, security controls are designed to uphold the three pillars of information security:

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that patient data is only accessible to authorized individuals
• Integrity: Maintaining the accuracy and reliability of medical information
• Availability: Ensuring that systems are consistently accessible for prompt clinical decision-making.

These principles are important in healthcare because disruptions or data breaches can directly affect patient care.

Security controls are also inherently risk-based. Organizations evaluate potential threats like hacking, phishing, ransomware attacks, or even physical theft of data storage. They then implement measures to decrease both the likelihood and impact of these risks. The article Cyber-Attacks on Hospital Systems: A Narrative Review, notes that modern threats range from cyberattacks to “theft of physical data storage,” reinforcing the need for a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to security.

Security controls are dynamic and require continuous monitoring, testing, and updating to stay effective against evolving threats.

See also: The top 3 healthcare email attacks in 2025 and how to defend against them

Categories of security control

Security controls are typically grouped into three main categories: technical, administrative, and physical controls. Each category addresses different aspects of risk, and together they form a layered defense strategy. This classification directly aligns with the structure of the HIPAA Security Rule, which organizes its requirements into technical, administrative, and physical safeguards for protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Technical controls

Technical controls align with HIPAA’s technical safeguards and involve the technology used to protect systems and data.

HIPAA’s technical safeguards include:

• Access controls (e.g., unique user IDs, role-based access)
• Audit controls (monitoring system activity)
• Integrity controls (protecting data from unauthorized alteration)
• Transmission security (e.g., encryption)

These controls are secure electronic systems such as EHRs, email platforms, and connected medical devices. Their role is to prevent and detect cyber threats in real time. As noted in the Narrative Review, these controls protect “software applications from various cyberattacks and threats.”

Administrative controls

Administrative controls correspond to administrative safeguards under HIPAA. These focus on the policies, procedures, and governance mechanisms that guide the management of security within a healthcare organization.

Under the HIPAA Security Rule, administrative safeguards include:

• Risk analysis and risk management
• Workforce training and security awareness
• Information access management
• Incident response and contingency planning

The narrative review explains that administrative controls, such as access control policies and training programs, are used to “regulate and govern security practices within the organization.” These controls ensure that organizations take a proactive approach to identifying risks and establishing clear protocols for handling sensitive data.

In practice, administrative controls help create a culture of security by ensuring that staff are trained, risks are regularly assessed, and appropriate actions are taken to prevent and respond to breaches.

Physical controls

Physical controls correspond to physical safeguards under HIPAA and are designed to protect the physical infrastructure and devices that store or access ePHI.

These safeguards include:

• Facility access controls
• Workstation use and security policies
• Device and media controls (e.g., disposal and reuse of hardware)

Physical controls prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to sensitive systems and reduce risks associated with theft, damage, or improper handling of devices. The narrative review notes that physical controls are used to protect assets through measures such as “surveillance cameras, fences, locks, and biometric access systems.”

In the news: Program launched to improve healthcare cybersecurity

How security controls affect the healthcare industry

Access controls

Access controls form the first line of defense in protecting patient data. These controls ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive health information. Through mechanisms like role-based access and robust authentication methods, healthcare organizations can prevent unauthorized entry into systems and applications housing patient data.

Encryption

HIPAA mandates the use of encryption as a technical control to protect patient information during transmission and storage. By encrypting data, the data is transformed into encoded dated, thus adding an extra layer of security, making it difficult for malicious actors to intercept or access sensitive information.

Audit controls

Audit controls allow healthcare organizations to track and record every instance of data access. This audit trail helps identify and investigate security incidents, ensuring accountability by allowing organizations to track who accessed patient data and when.

Physical controls

Restricted access to data centers, secure storage of physical records, and surveillance systems contribute to safeguarding patient information against physical threats and unauthorized access.

Security awareness training

Security awareness training, an essential administrative control, equips healthcare staff with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and address security threats. This proactive approach helps reduce the risk of human error, a common cause of data breaches.

Incident response plan

As no system is completely free from security incidents, HIPAA mandates that healthcare organizations implement an incident response plan. This plan should detail the actions to be taken in the event of a security breach. An incident response plan ensures a swift and effective response, minimizing the impact of incidents on patient data and organizational reputation.

Business associate agreements (BAAs)

Healthcare organizations often collaborate with external partners or vendors. Security controls, in the form of BAAs, define the security responsibilities of these partners, ensuring a cohesive approach to protecting patient information.

Risk assessments

Regular risk assessments help identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the healthcare organization's systems and processes. This ensures the implementation of effective security controls and maintains HIPAA compliance.

Secure communications

Security controls, such as HIPAA compliant email like Paubox, help ensure that patient information is transmitted securely between healthcare professionals and organizations, reducing the risk of interception or unauthorized access.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2026 Update)

FAQS

What is a layered security approach in healthcare?

A layered approach combines administrative, technical, and physical controls to address different types of risks. If one control fails, others remain in place to protect the system.

How often should healthcare organizations review their security controls?

Security controls should be reviewed regularly, through ongoing monitoring, periodic audits, and risk assessments. This ensures they remain effective against evolving cyber threats.