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Is your healthcare organization prepared for the growing threat of ransomware attacks?
With ransomware attacks on healthcare systems increasing by 300% this fiscal year, healthcare IT professionals need to reassess their cybersecurity strategies. Ransomware isn’t just a financial threat—it endangers lives. In healthcare, even one minute of downtime can lead to a 50% increase in waiting room times and an 81% rise in cardiac arrest cases.
Healthcare providers, dealing with outdated systems, fragmented IT, and a critical need for uptime, are prime targets for cybercriminals. Despite these challenges, improving cybersecurity is possible. Let’s look at common challenges for IT professionals in the healthcare sector and how they can be addressed.
Common Challenges
Legacy Systems and Fragmented Infrastructure
Healthcare facilities frequently depend on outdated legacy systems that lack current security updates. Alongside a highly fragmented IT infrastructure—filled with diverse devices and software—this creates an environment vulnerable to exploitation. Cybercriminals are aware of these weaknesses and are swift to take advantage of them.
Critical System Dependency and Uptime Pressure
In the healthcare sector, systems such as electronic health records (EHRs) and diagnostic tools are essential for operations. This critical reliance on these systems increases the likelihood that healthcare organizations may opt to pay ransoms, thereby worsening the issue.
The demand for continuous uptime adds another layer of complexity, often leading administrators to prioritize maintaining operational continuity over implementing vital updates.
Third-Party Risks and Insufficient Training
Healthcare’s reliance on multiple vendors for medical devices and services introduces third-party risks. Furthermore, a lack of cybersecurity training among healthcare staff creates easy entry points for attackers. IT admins often struggle to enforce best practices across a diverse workforce that prioritizes patient care over cybersecurity.
Proactive Solutions for 2025
Adopting a Zero Trust Security Model
The “trust no one” approach of Zero Trust Security is crucial today. It verifies every access request, reducing the risk of unauthorized movement within the network. By using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and network segmentation, healthcare providers can effectively safeguard sensitive patient data and systems.
Enhancing Patch Management and Vulnerability Scanning
Legacy systems present a multitude of vulnerabilities that require careful management. Implementing regular patch management and conducting vulnerability scans are essential to mitigating these security risks. Utilizing automated patch deployment and routine scans can significantly reduce potential threats, while collaboration with vendors can effectively address vulnerabilities in third-party software.
Increasing Endpoint Security
With numerous connected devices, including IoT medical devices, endpoint security is essential. Implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools and ensuring device encryption can effectively prevent malware from compromising vulnerable endpoints. Additionally, secure configurations and disabling unnecessary device functions further strengthen security measures.
Conducting Regular Security Awareness Training
Human error is a leading cause of breaches. Regular security awareness training can significantly mitigate this risk. Simulating phishing attacks and educating staff on recognizing suspicious activities can foster a security-first culture across the organization.
Developing and Testing Incident Response Plans
An effective incident response plan (IRP) is crucial for minimizing downtime and damage during cyberattacks. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, combined with regular tabletop exercises, ensure that the IT team is prepared to act swiftly in the event of an incident.
Taking Action with JumpCloud
JumpCloud can help your organization improve its security posture in 2025. Our expertise allows healthcare IT teams to strengthen their defenses in key areas.
- Zero Trust Security: JumpCloud can enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), secure Wi-Fi and VPN networks with network segmentation, and continuous monitoring to protect sensitive patient data and systems.
- Patch Management: JumpCloud provides automated patching and out-of-the-box policies to assist with compliance and security.
- Enhanced Endpoint Security: JumpCloud provides unified endpoint management, device encryption, and secure configuration management for all connected devices, allowing IT teams to secure multi-OS endpoints and mobile devices from a single unified platform.
Interested in learning more? Try a free guided simulation to see how JumpCloud works for yourself, or get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help.
