How To Prevent Cyber Attacks In Healthcare

In recent years, the healthcare sector has become a prime target for cyber criminals, with devastating consequences.

The NHS has faced severe breaches, notably one where nearly 83,000 medical records were stolen, and another where hackers leaked 380GB of confidential information. Cyber attacks on healthcare providers are no longer just an IT issue, they are a direct threat to patient safety.

Public awareness of these risks is growing, with 60% of UK citizens concerned about the effects of cyber attacks on critical NHS systems, and over half the public concerned about patient data exposure. This reflects an increasing recognition of the direct link between secure systems and the delivery of safe healthcare.

With nation-state-backed groups and ransomware gangs increasingly targeting the sector, healthcare leaders need to rethink their approach to cyber security.

We’ll explore how to prevent cyber attacks in healthcare below, covering what healthcare organisations can do to safeguard operations and their patients.

1. Conduct Regular Cyber Risk Assessments

A proactive approach to preventing cyber attacks in healthcare starts with an evaluation of potential risks within an organisation’s IT infrastructure.

Regular security assessments help identify vulnerabilities, outdated protocols, and weak points that cyber criminals could exploit. These assessments should extend beyond networks and emails to include physical devices, so that any endpoints connecting to the organisation’s network are protected.

A key part of this process is pinpointing critical assets, such as patient records and employee data, that require the highest level of protection. Healthcare providers must implement stringent security measures around these sensitive areas to minimise the risk of breaches.

Security assessments should extend beyond networks to include physical devices, so any endpoints connecting to the organisation’s network are protected.

2. Implement Comprehensive Cyber Security Training

One of the most significant vulnerabilities in healthcare cyber security is human error. 60% of frontline NHS staff indicate a lack of regular cyber security training. This increases the risk of data breaches because staff are not adequately trained to recognise cyber threats or follow best practices for data protection.

From small GP practices to large NHS hospitals, all healthcare organisations must prioritise ongoing cyber security education to ensure employees are the first line of defence against attacks.

Cybersecurity training should be integrated into staff onboarding and reinforced regularly with updates on emerging threats. Given their changing nature, training programs must reflect the latest types of cyber attacks in healthcare, such as phishing scams, ransomware, and social engineering tactics.

Some key areas of focus include:

Securing physical devices, like tablets, USB drives, and laptops.
Creating and managing strong passwords.
Identifying and avoiding phishing emails
Enabling multi-factor authentication for added security
Recognising the risks of sharing sensitive information through unsecured channels.

From small GP practices to large NHS hospitals, all healthcare organisations must prioritise ongoing cyber security education to ensure employees are the first line of defence against attacks.

3. Build A Strong IT Team

Healthcare organisations manage vast amounts of sensitive patient data across multiple departments, care facilities, and hospitals, making cyber security a challenge. A dedicated IT team can help protect critical systems and respond swiftly to potential breaches.

Appointing key cyber security roles, such as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), ensures that there is strategic oversight of IT security efforts. A specialised IT team can proactively manage firewalls, access controls, and threat detection software, strengthening security overall.

Partnering with a trusted cyber security provider, like Net Consulting, offers a practical solution.

With extensive expertise in cybersecurity and managed IT services for healthcare, our solutions help healthcare organisations safeguard their systems and patient data against evolving cyber threats.

Call us at +44 (0)29 2097 2020 to find out more.

4. Maintain Up-to-Date Software and Systems

Unpatched software and legacy IT systems create major security gaps, making healthcare organisations vulnerable to cyber attacks. 64% of NHS staff report difficulties with unusable, isolated patient data, as a result of outdated systems.

The recent 2024 Synnovis ransomware attack highlights how ageing infrastructure continues to be a major weakness within the NHS, allowing cyber criminals to exploit security gaps and disrupt essential services.

Beyond legacy systems, another significant risk comes from IoT (Internet of Things) medical devices, which help hospitals track patients and their records during their hospital stay. If not properly secured, IoT devices can serve as entry points for attackers to deploy malware, ransomware, or DDoS attacks, potentially crippling an entire healthcare system.

To mitigate these risks, IoT devices should be updated regularly, secured on protected networks, and continuously monitored for suspicious activity. The National Audit Office’s investigation into the 2017 WannaCry cyberattack on the NHS revealed that many hospitals could have avoided the breach by adhering to fundamental IT security practices, such as applying security patches in a timely manner.

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, which is why healthcare organisations must prioritise regular software updates, timely patch management, and replacing legacy systems to strengthen cyber security across the sector.

The National Audit Office’s investigation into the 2017 WannaCry cyberattack on the NHS revealed that many hospitals could have avoided the breach by adhering to fundamental IT security practices.

5. Improve Third Party Security

Healthcare providers like the NHS often depend on various third-party services, including external clinics, cloud service providers, and contractors, to deliver patient care. However, this reliance can expose healthcare systems to significant risks, as cyber criminals can target external partners to access sensitive data and infrastructure.

98% of organisations affiliated with third parties have experienced a breach, with healthcare being the most affected sector. This highlights the urgent need for stronger security measures across third-party partnerships.

To mitigate these risks, healthcare organisations must include third-party and supply chain security as part of their broader cyber security strategy. This involves checking that third-party vendors have robust cyber security controls in place and understanding the potential risks they bring to the organisation’s increased threat landscape.

Regular due diligence, risk, assessments, and continuous monitoring of third-party partners are essential to identify vulnerabilities and protect patient data.

How Can We Help

We hope our guide on how to prevent cyber attacks in healthcare has given insight into safeguarding patient data and critical systems.

At Net Consulting, we specialise in cyber security services tailored to the unique challenges faced by healthcare organisations.

We offer a range of managed IT solutions, including proactive threat monitoring, attack surface protection, and risk assessment services to safeguard your organisation against cyber threats.