84% of Healthcare Organizations Experienced Cyberattacks Last Year: Tackling Human Risk and Cyber Culture Challenges

The Rising Threat Landscape in Healthcare

Healthcare organizations are facing an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks, with 84% reporting incidents in the past year alone. (via Netwrix)

These attacks, which often include phishing and ransomware, disrupt critical operations and impose significant financial costs. Phishing remains the most common method used by attackers, exploiting human vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Meanwhile, ransomware incidents are on the rise, locking healthcare systems out of vital data and halting patient care.

• These cyberattacks resulted in financial damage for 69% of healthcare organizations, compared to 60% in industries.
• Additionally, 19% of the incidents led to lawsuits.

These threats not only jeopardize operational continuity but also place patients’ lives and sensitive information at risk, underscoring the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in healthcare.

Why Healthcare is Particularly Vulnerable

The healthcare sector is uniquely susceptible to cyber threats due to a combination of increased digitalization and resource constraints. The rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and connected medical devices has dramatically expanded the attack surface, making it easier for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. At the same time, many healthcare organizations struggle with limited budgets and a lack of specialized cybersecurity expertise, leaving them ill-equipped to respond effectively to threats.

Compounding these issues are the hard-to-reach roles of clinicians, doctors, and busy nurses who often prioritize patient care over cybersecurity training, creating gaps in awareness and preparedness.

Key Challenges in Human Risk Management

Managing human risk in healthcare comes with unique challenges. Traditional cybersecurity training often fails to resonate with healthcare professionals, who are focused on delivering care and may perceive such training as a low priority. Additionally, many organizations rely on outdated tools and methods that are not equipped to address the current threat landscape.

Regulatory pressures further complicate the situation, as healthcare providers must navigate stringent compliance requirements while managing limited resources. These factors combine to create a cultural disconnect, where cybersecurity awareness and human risk management are seen as separate from the core mission of patient care, leaving organizations vulnerable to attacks.

A Better Approach to Cyber Culture in Healthcare

Targeting human risk in healthcare requires a fresh approach that resonates with the industry’s unique challenges. Training for hard-to-reach roles, such as clinicians, doctors, and busy nurses, should be designed to fit into their demanding schedules with short, impactful messages.

We've found using just a touch of scientific humor—a form of light-hearted, relatable humor grounded in healthcare themes—can make messages more engaging and memorable. Snackable content, broken into bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces, ensures that critical cybersecurity lessons are retained. Visual cues, such as posters and infographics strategically placed in high-traffic areas, reinforce key messages throughout the day. Additionally, involving the broader community, including patients and visitors, can help create a culture of shared responsibility and awareness around cybersecurity.

Why You Need the Right Partner

The statistics speak for themselves: healthcare’s threat landscape demands innovative, scalable solutions. However, human risk teams in healthcare often face an uphill battle with limited resources, outdated tools, and traditional approaches that no longer suffice.

To overcome these challenges, you need a partner who can help you organize, plan, deliver, scale, and grow your human risk management efforts.

How We Can Help:

• Strategic Planning: We collaborate with you to design a comprehensive human risk management strategy tailored to your organization’s unique needs.

• Engaging Content: Our team specializes in creating snackable, humor-infused, and scientifically grounded content that resonates with healthcare professionals.

• Visual Campaigns: From posters to digital signage, we help you embed cybersecurity awareness into the daily routines of your staff.

• Scalable Solutions: Whether you’re a small clinic or a large hospital network, we provide scalable tools and resources to meet your goals.

• Proven Results: With a library of case studies, we can show how our solutions have helped other healthcare organizations achieve measurable improvements in cybersecurity awareness and resilience.

Let our team be your team. With our experience in healthcare human risk factors, we can support your transformation from awareness to human risk management and cyber culture. Get in touch to hear more about our work with other organizations in the industry, how we've helped make risk programs stronger, smarter, and safer for everyone involved.