Cybercriminals are continuously refining their tactics, and even though the year is more than halfway through, it’s crucial to understand the top cyberthreats targeting healthcare in 2025. When you know the risks you’re facing, you can build countermeasures against them and protect your systems.
6 Healthcare cybersecurity threats to watch out for
Below are the most pressing threats this year that can seriously affect your patients’ safety and your bottom line.
1. Ransomware in healthcare is more aggressive than ever
Ransomware attacks involve malicious software that encrypts your files, holding them hostage until a payment is made to the attackers.. But in 2025, these attacks have evolved to be more targeted, and a tactic called “double extortion” is now prevalent. This is where criminals add a second threat: besides encrypting your data so you won’t be able to read it, they’ll also threaten to leak it if you don’t pay.
Given the kinds of sensitive information in healthcare data (such as medical history and insurance details), it’s no surprise that there’s a huge demand for it in the black market. A ransomware attack on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in healthcare can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars due to lost revenue, ransom payments, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) fines.
2. Supply chain cyberattacks on healthcare vendors
Healthcare businesses rely on third-party vendors for billing, lab results, and imaging. Cybercriminals can attack these vendors, then use them as a gateway to enter your network. That’s why attacks on healthcare supply chains are increasing, especially on practice management software. Beware of attacks via your vendor; it can expose sensitive patient data even if your systems are secure.
3. Phishing and business email compromise attacks
Unlike attacks in the past, phishing emails these days aren’t filled with typos; they’re now deceptively authentic. Criminals can now become convincing doctors, administrators, or vendors, making it easier to trick their staff into sending money or sensitive data. That’s what’s called business email compromise (BEC). A single BEC attack on a healthcare practice can lead to catastrophic financial losses due to costly investigations and steep HIPAA fines.
4. Internet of Medical Things exploits
Patient care has improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to technology. There are connected devices — heart monitors, diagnostic tools, and infusion pumps, to name a few — working in harmony to provide transformative healthcare. These connected devices are collectively known as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
But while IoMT has been beneficial to healthcare, it has its downside. IoMT devices need to always have up-to-date security. Otherwise, outdated security means the devices are more vulnerable to hackers, who can then exploit these devices to infiltrate your network.
5. Insider threats in healthcare
Threats don’t always come from outside your organization; at times, the threat is from inside. Whether on purpose or by accident, data can be leaked or stolen by your employees, contractors, and everyone with legitimate access to it. And because these people already have proper access to your data, they have the potential to do more damage than outside threats.
6. Cloud misconfigurations
Cloud security has become even more crucial now that an increasing number of healthcare providers use the cloud to store their medical records. A leading cause of data breaches today is cloud misconfiguration, such as when a database is left open without password protection. Such a mistake can lead to costly consequences.
Why cybersecurity matters in 2025
In the healthcare industry, cybersecurity goes beyond compliance; it’s also about protecting revenue. A cyberattack can cause canceled appointments, delayed treatments, and lost billing opportunities. What’s less expensive than recovering from the effects of a breach? Investing in proactive measures. Some simple yet effective strategies to consider include:
- Regular cybersecurity risk assessments
- Employee training on phishing awareness
- Strong vendor cybersecurity requirements
- 24/7 monitoring of your IT environment
Healthcare providers should seriously consider partnering with a managed IT services provider that knows and is experienced with the unique security challenges of healthcare. If you want to protect your healthcare organization from the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, contact predictiveIT today.