Protect Patient Data by Treating Healthcare Cybersecurity as a Leadership Imperative

The growing adoption of connected devices and remote patient monitoring (RPM) tools has reshaped healthcare delivery, enhancing care quality and enabling real-time interventions for better chronic disease management. However, broader adoption of digital health tools also ushers in some new risks. The sensitive data that makes innovative, patient-centric approaches possible is also attractive to cyber criminals. 

Cyber attacks targeting sensitive patient data are increasing, and they can put entire organizations and even patients’ lives at risk. The healthcare industry reported data breaches costing an average of $10.93 million per incident in 2023. It marked the 13th consecutive year that the industry reported the most expensive breaches, with an average loss nearly double that of the financial industry, which ranked second and reported $5.9 million per incident. 

Once thought of as strictly an IT matter, cybersecurity should now be considered a leadership issue. Healthcare professionals at every level, especially executives, need to prioritize the protection of data as much as they prioritize care quality and innovation. Failing to do so puts hospital operations at risk and directly impacts clinical outcomes. 

Stay Ahead of Healthcare’s Expanding Cyber Threat Landscape 

Healthcare data is among the most valuable types of intelligence sought by cybercriminals. On the black market, personal health information (PHI) can fetch higher prices than credit card information. It’s not surprising that hospitals and healthcare systems have become frequent targets for ransomware attacks, phishing, and other digital threats. 

The expansion of connected devices and Electronic Health Record (EHR) integrations adds another element of complexity to the situation. Devices like wearables, IoT-enabled monitors, and RPM tools used to track and analyze a patient’s health in real time generate a lot of sensitive data. While they improve care, these interconnected systems also broaden the “attack surface” and provide cybercriminals with more entry points to launch assaults. Their opportunities will likely become more plentiful as 26.2% of Americans – 70.6 million people – are expected to be using RPM tools by 2026. 

A cyberattack can have far-reaching consequences for healthcare organizations, affecting multiple critical areas. First and foremost, breaches jeopardize patient privacy, often resulting in HIPAA violations, legal repercussions, and hefty fines. Beyond the legal and financial ramifications, incidents can erode trust between patients and providers. When individuals perceive digital health solutions as insecure, they may hesitate to engage with these systems, which undermines the adoption of innovative healthcare tools. Additionally, cyberattacks can compromise the accuracy of clinical data and may lead doctors to make ill-informed treatment decisions. This not only endangers patient outcomes but also disrupts the foundation of reliable and effective care.

Secure Patient Data to Protect Care Quality 

Accurate, reliable data saves lives, supporting better public health surveillance, disease understanding, and the creation of new treatments and therapies. The quality of clinical decisions depends heavily on the integrity of health data collected through connected devices and smart monitoring systems. Delays, inconsistencies, or information that has been tampered with can have life-altering consequences. 

Disruptions to care as a result of cyber attacks are reportedly increasing and taking a toll on patient health. Over 55% of healthcare organizations surveyed about attacks they’ve experienced reported poor patient outcomes due to delays in procedures and tests. Additionally, 53% saw an increase in medical procedure complications, and 28% say patient mortality rates increased. 

To mitigate these risks and ensure data remains accurate and accessible, healthcare organizations should adopt the following measures:

• Encryption and secure storage: Encrypt sensitive data at all stages, from transmission to storage, to ensure it cannot be accessed without authorization. 
• Access controls and authentication: Implement role-based access and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to permit only authorized personnel to access sensitive health records. 
• Continuous monitoring and threat detection: Set up real-time monitoring systems to quickly identify vulnerabilities and detect potential breaches before they escalate. 

A Strong Cybersecurity Mentality Starts at the Top 

Leadership plays a critical role in the cybersecurity posture of any healthcare organization. Recent research revealed that only 50% of hospitals could handle cyber threats, underscoring the need for leaders to take immediate action. Instilling a proactive, security-first mindset in teams throughout an organization is a tall order, but it’s the best way for executives to protect their organizations, demonstrate a commitment to patient trust, and uphold care quality. 

Prioritizing cybersecurity begins with a focus on regulatory compliance. Adhering to HIPAA, HITECH, SOC 2 and other emerging standards lays the foundation for a strong risk management framework that helps organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. That framework should also include strategic investments in cybersecurity infrastructure, vendor vetting, and reliable integration with EHR and IoT ecosystems. Skimping in these areas can have catastrophic costs in the long term. 

Executives should also consider cyberattacks inevitable. Essentially, it’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” Having a strong incident response plan ensures organizations can quickly recover with minimal disruption and reputational loss. 

Leadership also has an essential cultural role to play. By prioritizing cybersecurity education and communication, organizations can empower all staff members to contribute to risk mitigation. Training programs on recognizing threats like phishing emails, understanding employees’ roles in securing data, and emphasizing accountability can make a big difference. 

Healthcare’s reliance on connected devices and RPM tools will only grow, as the benefits to patient outcomes are too substantial to ignore. However, every technological advancement amplifies the need for increased vigilance. Protecting patient data isn’t just about avoiding breaches — it’s a strategy that enables organizations to continue delivering safe, effective, and innovative care. By fostering a security-first culture, investing in resilient cybersecurity infrastructure, and ensuring the integrity of connected devices and EHR systems, healthcare leaders can safeguard both the trust and well-being of their patients.