Healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with a surge in cybersecurity attacks and the growing risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) applications. As healthcare technology evolves, these innovations bring new challenges, including threats to patient care, operational stability, and data security.
The 2025 reports from ECRI, Black Book Research, and other cybersecurity experts highlight the critical need for robust measures to protect healthcare systems. These reports emphasize the importance of addressing vulnerabilities, managing technology risks, and ensuring the responsible use of AI.
Key Takeaways
Healthcare systems worldwide are facing a surge in cybersecurity attacks and AI-related hazards, highlighting the need for robust measures to protect patient data and ensure operational continuity.
- Cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks, are compromising patient data and disrupting healthcare services globally, with average recovery costs of 2.5 million euros per incident.
- The integration of AI-powered cybersecurity tools is becoming essential to strengthen defenses against cyber threats, but its rapid adoption has introduced significant risks, including unreliable results and biased decision-making.
- Healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity investments, conduct regular vulnerability assessments of third-party vendors, and promote the responsible use of AI to mitigate these risks and ensure patient safety.
The growing threat of cybersecurity attacks
Cybersecurity in healthcare has become an increasing concern, particularly as more health systems globally integrate digital solutions and connected devices. According to Black Book Research, 81% of healthcare organizations reported data security incidents since 2022, marking the highest rate of breaches in over a decade. Cybercriminals are targeting hospitals, healthcare providers, and medical institutions with ransomware attacks that compromise patient data and disrupt services.
The cost of recovering from these cyberattacks is steep, with hospitals in non-U.S. regions now facing average recovery costs of 2.5 million euros per incident. This financial burden is making it even more challenging for resource-constrained healthcare systems to maintain operational continuity.
In the United Kingdom, for example, a ransomware attack on Synnovis, a major pathology provider, led to the cancellation of over 3,000 medical appointments. In Australia, a breach at MediSecure exposed the personal and medical data of 12.9 million individuals, making it one of the largest healthcare data breaches in the region.
As the threat landscape grows, the integration of AI-powered cybersecurity tools is becoming essential to strengthen defenses. Healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting AI solutions to detect threats and prevent cyberattacks. Leading vendors like Trend Micro, Sophos, and Palo Alto Networks are developing AI-driven technologies to secure electronic health record (EHR) systems and cloud infrastructures.
These tools not only help mitigate cyber threats but also provide real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, and proactive security measures.
The risks and benefits of AI in healthcare
While AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, its rapid adoption has introduced significant risks. ECRI’s 2025 report identifies AI-enabled health technologies as one of the top hazards facing healthcare systems. AI applications are now used in a wide range of healthcare services, including medical imaging, diagnostics, treatment planning, and even appointment scheduling.
However, ECRI experts warn that AI systems can produce unreliable results, known as “hallucinations,” which may lead to misdiagnoses or treatment errors. Additionally, the quality of AI-generated insights can vary across different patient populations, posing risks to historically marginalized or underrepresented communities.
AI models often reflect the biases in the data they are trained on. This means that if AI systems are trained with incomplete or biased data, the models may perpetuate these biases, leading to discriminatory outcomes in healthcare. This is a particularly concerning issue when it comes to underserved populations, where AI may overlook critical health conditions or misinterpret symptoms.
Dr. Marcus Schabacker, CEO of ECRI, emphasizes that healthcare organizations must be cautious when integrating AI technologies into patient care. “The promise of AI’s capabilities must not distract us from its risks or its ability to harm patients and providers,” Schabacker says. Ensuring that AI is used responsibly in healthcare requires transparency, oversight, and continuous evaluation. ECRI stresses that AI models should complement, rather than replace, human judgment in clinical settings.
Home care and medical device risks
As healthcare shifts toward home care, new risks are emerging, particularly with the increasing use of medical devices in patients’ homes. ECRI’s report highlights the vulnerability of home healthcare devices, many of which are not adequately supported or monitored after installation. Home patients may lack the training to operate these devices safely, increasing the likelihood of misuse, malfunction, and injury.
For example, medical devices such as blood glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and oxygen concentrators can malfunction if not properly maintained or if users are not adequately trained. Furthermore, home healthcare providers may lack the resources to address device failures quickly, putting patients at risk. ECRI calls for better support and training for home care patients, as well as more stringent regulations around home-use devices to ensure patient safety.
In addition to home care device risks, counterfeit and substandard medical products present another hazard. The global market for counterfeit medical devices is growing, as illicit products enter the supply chain, often undetected. These devices may fail to meet quality standards, endangering patient health. ECRI emphasizes that healthcare providers must be vigilant in sourcing medical products and ensure they are legitimate, well-regulated, and thoroughly tested.
Vendor risks and global collaboration
Healthcare systems around the world are increasingly reliant on third-party vendors for managing IT infrastructure and securing patient data. However, these vendors often represent weak links in the cybersecurity chain. Vulnerabilities in the vendor ecosystem can expose healthcare organizations to cyberattacks. A recent survey from Black Book Research found that 77% of healthcare leaders in Australia reported insufficient cybersecurity investments, exacerbating the risks posed by increasingly sophisticated ransomware groups.
These vulnerabilities are not limited to a specific region, they are a global issue. Healthcare leaders across 15 countries highlighted the growing need for better vendor risk management. In India, 98% of healthcare providers acknowledged significant gaps in securing electronic health records (EHR) systems, while Brazil saw similar vulnerabilities in hospital IT systems. As the number of connected devices and digital solutions grows, healthcare providers must prioritize cybersecurity investments to protect patient data and prevent breaches.
Global collaboration between healthcare providers, vendors, and cybersecurity experts is crucial in mitigating these risks. Experts suggest that healthcare organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their third-party vendors, implement stricter cybersecurity protocols, and prioritize endpoint protection. The use of advanced AI and machine learning tools to monitor network traffic, detect anomalies, and prevent cyber threats is becoming increasingly important in this effort.
Mitigating risks with cybersecurity solutions
To counter the rising cybersecurity threats, healthcare organizations are turning to advanced cybersecurity solutions that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Companies like Trend Micro, Sophos, Check Point, and Palo Alto Networks are leading the way with AI-powered platforms designed to protect electronic health record (EHR) systems, cloud-based solutions, and medical devices.
AI-driven cybersecurity solutions can identify emerging threats, prevent intrusions, and help healthcare organizations respond faster to attacks. These platforms analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying patterns that may indicate a potential cyber threat.
For example, AI can detect unusual behavior on hospital networks or identify vulnerabilities in connected medical devices, helping to prevent ransomware attacks before they occur.
As the healthcare cybersecurity market grows, it is projected to reach $41 billion by 2028, driven by the rising adoption of cloud solutions, 5G technology, and connected medical devices. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth in cybersecurity investments due to the increasing number of cyber threats targeting healthcare systems.
Balancing innovation and safety in healthcare
The rapid integration of AI and increasing reliance on digital solutions have brought about significant advancements in healthcare, but they have also introduced new risks. Cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks, and the potential dangers of AI-driven decision-making must be addressed to ensure patient safety and operational continuity.
Healthcare systems must invest in robust cybersecurity measures, collaborate with third-party vendors to assess risks and develop comprehensive frameworks for the responsible use of AI.
The growing complexity of healthcare technology demands a proactive approach to risk management. By focusing on cybersecurity, enhancing vendor risk management, and promoting the responsible use of AI, healthcare organizations can reduce the risks highlighted in the 2025 reports. The future of healthcare depends on a careful balance between innovation and safety, ensuring that technology enhances, rather than threatens, the quality of patient care.
