Cyberattacks are malicious actions designed to exploit vulnerabilities in computer networks, devices, applications, or systems. Attackers may target individuals, businesses, healthcare organizations, government agencies, or other institutions. Cyberattacks occur for various reasons, driven by different motives and objectives pursued by cybercriminals, hacktivists, state-sponsored actors, and other malicious entities.

 

Why do cyberattackers target the healthcare industry?

The healthcare industry is an attractive target for cyberattackers because healthcare organizations hold valuable data while often operating complex technology environments that can be difficult to secure. According to an article by Express Healthcare, the importance of healthcare data, combined with the challenges organizations face in maintaining their security posture, increases the risk of cyberattacks and the potential financial and reputational damage they can cause.

One factor is the complex healthcare supply chain. Healthcare organizations rely on numerous systems, technologies, and third-party components, ranging from appointment reminder software and scanning machines to patient reports and drug transportation systems. The complexity of these interconnected components can make it more difficult to implement consistent security practices across the entire environment.

Overworked healthcare staff can also contribute to security risks. Express Healthcare notes that “the majority of data privacy breaches occur due to employee errors and unauthorized disclosures.” Busy healthcare workers may have limited time to stay informed about cybersecurity risks and prevention measures, potentially increasing the likelihood of mistakes that attackers can exploit.

Another concern is the use of outdated and interconnected medical devices, also known as legacy devices. Healthcare organizations may operate large networks of devices from different manufacturers, with varying specifications and security requirements. “Although medical devices may not contain significant amounts of patient data, they can serve as a gateway for hackers to gain access to servers that store large quantities of data,” writes the author.

The value of healthcare data also makes the industry particularly appealing to cybercriminals. Express Healthcare reports that stolen healthcare data can end up on the dark web and notes that private healthcare data can be worth substantial amounts to attackers. Ransomware presents an additional threat, as attackers can restrict access to clinical systems and potentially disrupt critical healthcare equipment and services.

Together, the value of healthcare data, complex technology and supply chains, overworked staff, and potentially outdated devices create multiple opportunities for cyberattackers. These risks can have consequences beyond financial losses, as attacks can disrupt healthcare operations and potentially affect patient care.

 

Common types of cyberattacks in healthcare

Healthcare organizations face a range of cyberattacks, but email remains a significant source of risk. According to a Paubox analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) breach data, 170 email-related healthcare breaches were reported in 2025, affecting more than 2.5 million individuals. The report identified three attack patterns that accounted for nearly every email-related healthcare breach: phishing and credential compromise leading to mailbox takeover, business email compromise (BEC) and impersonation, and vendor and business associate email exposure.

 

Phishing and credential compromise

Phishing attacks can trick healthcare employees into revealing their login credentials through fraudulent emails. These messages may appear to come from IT, human resources, a colleague, or a trusted platform and can prompt recipients to log in, review a document, or reset a password. Once attackers obtain valid credentials, they can access an employee's mailbox as if they were a legitimate user.

According to Paubox, phishing-driven mailbox takeovers accounted for approximately 17% of email breaches in 2025 but exposed more than 630,000 individuals, making them the most damaging email attack type by impact. Attackers may search compromised inboxes for PHI and attachments, billing or referral information, and laboratory-related communications. They may also create inbox rules to hide or forward messages or use the compromised account to target other people.

 

Business email compromise (BEC) and impersonation

Business email compromise (BEC) occurs when attackers impersonate trusted individuals or organizations to persuade recipients to disclose sensitive information. In healthcare, attackers may pose as executives, department leaders, vendors, business associates, or internal IT, billing, or administrative staff. The fraudulent messages can request information, prompt a reply, or initiate a conversation.

Paubox notes that impersonation appeared repeatedly in some of the most damaging email breaches reported to HHS in 2025. These attacks can be particularly difficult to identify because they rely on the recipient's trust in a familiar identity rather than malicious attachments or links. Attackers have also used trusted messaging and cloud infrastructure, including healthcare Direct secure messaging systems and Google-hosted services, to make fraudulent messages appear legitimate.

 

Vendor and business associate email exposure

Healthcare organizations frequently exchange PHI with vendors and business associates, creating another potential avenue for data exposure. Paubox identified vendor and business associate email exposure as the most common email breach pattern in 2025, accounting for 28% of email incidents reported to HHS. Nearly one in three email-related breaches involved a business associate.

These breaches can occur when vendors or other third parties use inconsistent email security practices to transmit or handle PHI. The report identifies inconsistent encryption practices, limited visibility into how PHI is handled after delivery, and reliance on business associate agreements without corresponding technical safeguards as common weaknesses.

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How can cyberattacks be prevented?

While no organization can eliminate the risk of cyberattacks entirely, implementing fundamental cybersecurity practices can significantly reduce the likelihood and potential impact of an attack. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends several best practices that organizations can prioritize to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

 

Use strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA)

Organizations should require strong, unique passwords and enable MFA to add an additional layer of protection to accounts. CISA also recommends changing default passwords before hardware, software or firmware is connected to a network.

 

Keep software and firmware updated

Regularly applying security updates and patches can help organizations address known vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. Organizations should also identify systems and services that are unnecessarily exposed to the internet and restrict access where possible.

 

Back up important data

Regular backups can help organizations recover their information and maintain operations if data is compromised, deleted or encrypted during a cyberattack. CISA recommends backing up data to a secure external drive or properly vetted cloud service.

 

Train employees to recognize cyber threats

Employee education is an important part of cybersecurity. Training can help staff identify phishing attempts and other suspicious activity, while clear reporting procedures can encourage employees to quickly report potential threats.

 

Use encryption and other security controls

CISA also recommends encryption to protect sensitive information, along with measures such as network segmentation, traffic filtering and rate limiting. These controls can help limit unauthorized access and reduce the potential impact of a successful attack.

Related: Cybersecurity in Healthcare

 

FAQS

Can cyberattacks affect patient care?

Yes. A cyberattack can disrupt access to systems and information that healthcare organizations rely on to provide services. This can interfere with normal operations and potentially affect the delivery of patient care.

 

Why are email attacks particularly concerning for healthcare organizations?

Email is commonly used to communicate and exchange sensitive healthcare information. A successful attack can therefore provide access to PHI and other confidential information while potentially allowing attackers to compromise additional accounts or individuals.

 

Can cybersecurity training alone prevent healthcare cyberattacks?

No. Employee awareness is important, but it should be combined with technical safeguards and appropriate security practices. A layered approach can help reduce the risk associated with phishing, compromised credentials, impersonation, and third-party exposure.

 

Does having a business associate agreement (BAA) prevent a healthcare data breach?

A BAA establishes contractual requirements for how a business associate handles PHI, but it does not by itself prevent cyberattacks. Appropriate technical and administrative safeguards are also necessary to protect information.