READING, PA — New research from Omega Systems highlights growing cybersecurity challenges in the healthcare industry, with alarming implications for patient safety and organizational resilience. The 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report reveals that 19% of healthcare leaders report cyberattacks have already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is likely within the next five years.
The findings come as cyberattacks on healthcare systems continue to rise in frequency and severity. Over the past year, 80% of healthcare organizations experienced at least one attack, with social engineering (48%) and ransomware (34%) leading the charge. Perhaps most concerning, more than one in four organizations reported that at least half their sensitive patient data was at risk due to cyber threats.
“Healthcare is one of the most frequently targeted industries by cybercriminals – and not surprisingly, given the sensitive data they manage,” said Mike Fuhrman, CEO of Omega Systems. “Unfortunately, growing gaps in cyber risk management are resulting in real-world consequences for patients and major setbacks for organizations. The data shows that although leaders don’t report cybersecurity as a top challenge, it’s directly impacting their highest priorities – from patient safety to regulatory compliance. This disconnect is a growing risk across the healthcare industry that needs to be addressed with better visibility, readiness, and resources.”
Gaps in Cybersecurity Preparedness
The report highlights critical weaknesses in healthcare organizations’ cybersecurity capabilities. While 80% of healthcare leaders expressed confidence in their ability to counter AI-driven cyberattacks, internal practices suggest otherwise. For example, nearly a third of companies lack regular employee training on cyber threats, and only 53% conduct phishing simulations. Furthermore, 25% of organizations admit it could take up to a month to detect and address a data breach.
Legacy systems also pose a significant vulnerability. Over half (56%) of leaders said outdated infrastructure would delay breach recovery, and 36% acknowledged their tools lack the capacity to protect cloud-based patient data. Gaps in adopting advanced solutions, like next-gen endpoint defense (46%) or data discovery technology (46%), further exacerbate the risk.
Insufficient staffing complicates matters. While nearly two-thirds of healthcare organizations maintain in-house cybersecurity teams, 23% report that they are severely understaffed, limiting their ability to mount rapid responses to attacks.
MSSPs Offer a Vital Solution
Despite these challenges, over half of healthcare organizations (55%) have yet to partner with a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) for expert support. MSSPs can bolster cybersecurity by providing critical resources, advanced tools, and continuous monitoring to address internal gaps. The report shows that healthcare companies leveraging MSSPs outperform peers in threat detection speed, vulnerability assessments, HIPAA compliance, and regulatory readiness.
“Healthcare teams are under immense pressure, and internal resources alone aren’t enough to stay ahead of today’s threats,” Fuhrman emphasized. “Leading organizations are leveraging MSSPs to gain a competitive advantage through advanced tools, continuous monitoring, and regulatory expertise for a new level of security. The end result is bottom-line protection in the healthcare sector—from patient safety and reputation to financial growth and operational resilience.”
The report underscores an urgent need for healthcare organizations to reevaluate their cybersecurity strategies. With attacks becoming more sophisticated and impactful, investing in modern tools and strategic partnerships, such as MSSPs, may prove essential for safeguarding patient safety and organizational stability.
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