Ransomware continues to target the healthcare sector, with hospitals and small healthcare firms facing more cyberattacks than ever before. Recent reports show that in just the first three months of 2025, 158 ransomware incidents were recorded across the healthcare sector.
What’s even more concerning is that while ransomware accounted for only 11% of security breaches in the previous year, it was the cause of 69% of all stolen patient records.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s driving this rise in ransomware across the medical industry, why hospitals have become prime targets, and what steps you can take to protect your business.
The Ransomware Threat Landscape in Healthcare in 2025
Ransomware has become one of the biggest security concerns for hospitals and healthcare providers across the world. In 2025, the number of attacks continues to rise, with many incidents directly impacting patient care, data privacy, and even hospital operations.
Globally, healthcare ransomware attacks have increased by around 45% over the previous year, confirming that cybercriminals are turning their attention toward this sector more and more.
The scale of the problem becomes even clearer when we look at the numbers below:
| Region | Key Statistics |
| Global | Approximately 293 ransomware attacks targeted hospitals and clinics in the first nine months of 2025, worldwide. |
| Around 50% of known ransomware groups actively targeted healthcare organizations during a 90-day period. | |
| United States | According to the American Health Association, over 33 million individuals have been affected by hacking or ransomware incidents as of October 2025. |
| An IBM report states that the average cost of a healthcare data breach reached about $10.22 million in 2025. | |
| Europe (EU) | About 45% of all healthcare cybersecurity incidents in 2024 were ransomware-related, with the trend continuing into 2025. |
These alarming numbers are only growing, which makes cybersecurity a necessity for every individual operating in the healthcare industry, regardless of size or location.
Ransomware Attack Methods Used Against Clinics and Hospitals
In healthcare, ransomware has shifted from a financial nuisance to a serious threat to patient safety and vital system operations. To prevent these attacks, we must first understand how they work.
Below we will discuss three of the most common methods seen in ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations.
1. Phishing and Compromised Credentials
Phishing is one of most frequent methods of attacks used by cybercriminals across all industries, because it preys on human trust. Attackers send deceptive emails that aim to trick employees into revealing passwords or clicking on malicious links, which can open the door to malware and compromised credentials.
A HIPAA Journal report shows that in recent healthcare incidents, compromised credentials accounted for about 34% of ransomware attack vectors.
Once attackers gain access to a hospital’s network, they start moving quietly from one device to another, exploring systems, gathering information, and gaining higher levels of access. This allows them to reach sensitive areas of the network where they can launch ransomware and cause widespread damage.
What makes these attacks so effective is often not the technology itself, but human error.
That’s why regular staff training, strong password rules, and multi-factor authentication are essential habits that can protect both patient data and the daily work of healthcare providers.
2. Exploited Vulnerabilities and Unpatched Systems
Cybercriminals often take advantage of software flaws, and unfortunately, many healthcare facilities still rely on older medical devices or outdated operating systems. These gaps give attackers an opportunity to slip into the network and plant malware which can lock shared files, erase backups, or halt critical operations.
In healthcare, the challenge is even greater because certain devices cannot be taken offline for maintenance without affecting patient care. This means that vulnerabilities can remain exposed for long periods.
Because of this, cybersecurity in the healthcare sector requires careful planning, including:
- isolating outdated systems
- making sure that updates are applied wherever possible
Even small steps toward proactive patch management can significantly reduce the risk of a ransomware infection.
3. Double Extortion and Data Exfiltration
Double extortion is a tactic used by cybercriminals to increase pressure on their potential victims. Traditionally, ransomware stopped at encrypting files until a ransom was paid. Nowadays, attackers take it a step further by threatening to leak or sell sensitive patient information. This can lead to more serious consequences, such as identity theft.
Hospitals and clinics can face devastating consequences because of double extortion. Cybercriminals may threaten to release medical records, patient histories, or even internal operational details if their demands are not met.
The damage goes far beyond temporary system downtime. It can erode public trust, lead to regulatory penalties, and cause long-term harm to a healthcare provider’s reputation.
Real-life Examples of Ransomware Incidents Affecting Hospitals or Health Systems in 2025
To truly understand how serious ransomware attacks can be, it helps to look at what’s happening in the real world. Below, we’ll explore a few recent cases from different parts of the world that reveal how deeply these attacks can disrupt healthcare systems and patient care.
1. Frederick Health Medical Group (United States – January 2025)
On January 27, Frederick Health Medical Group suffered a ransomware event that compromised the personal and health information of 934,326 people. The data taken reportedly included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s licence numbers and clinical records. The attack highlights how even regional health systems must consider cybersecurity as central to their operations.
2. HCRG Care Group (United Kingdom – February 2025)
Earlier in 2025, the private UK health-services provider confirmed a ransomware event claimed by the group Medusa ransomware gang, which asserted it exfiltrated over 50 terabytes of data including medical records, identities and financial information, and demanded a ransom of about US $2 million.
Although the full financial impact has not been disclosed publicly, the breach affected a wide range of patients and employee records, underlining the cyber risk faced by both public and private health-care operators in Europe.
3. DaVita (United States – April 2025)
In this case, a major U.S. provider of kidney-dialysis services was hit by a ransomware incident that encrypted portions of the company’s network and enabled the unauthorized access of its laboratory database. According to reports, approximately 2.7 million individuals were impacted.
The company disclosed that its remediation costs for Q2 2025 were around US $13.5 million in administrative and patient-care expenses. The incident shows how even specialist providers supplying critical care can be disrupted and incur major financial and reputational damage.
4. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & partner systems (United Kingdom – June 2025)
In June 2025, the UK health-service body announced that a ransomware attack affecting its laboratory services provider led to delays in blood-test results and that a patient’s death was in part attributed to those delays.
While exact cost figures were not fully disclosed, the episode illustrates the very human stakes of cyber-attacks in health care, including delayed diagnostics, postponed treatments and potential threats to patient lives, beyond simply data loss.
2025 Regulatory Updates Aimed at Strengthening Healthcare Cybersecurity
Due to the increase of cyberattacks in 2025, governments and regulators are making greater efforts to protect healthcare organizations, from smaller firms to large corporations.
Below, we will discuss a few key updates from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union that individuals operating in healthcare should be aware of.
| United States | HHS Proposed Cybersecurity Rules – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) introduced proposed regulations aimed at improving the protection of healthcare data. These include stronger encryption standards, regular cybersecurity audits, and stricter compliance monitoring. |
| New York State Incident Reporting Requirement – New York State introduced mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting for hospitals, requiring all healthcare institutions to notify the state health department in the event of a cyberattack. | |
| United Kingdom | Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 – This new legislation updates existing data-protection rules and strengthens how health and social care data is used, shared, and secured across the UK. |
| Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (Expected 2025) – A forthcoming bill that will extend mandatory cybersecurity and resilience duties to healthcare providers and other critical service sectors, aiming to boost national cyber readiness. | |
| European Union | Regulation (EU) 2025/327 – European Health Data Space (EHDS) – Came into force on March 26th, 2025. It standardizes how health data is accessed, shared, and governed across the EU, embedding cybersecurity and data-protection requirements into healthcare systems. |
| ENISA Healthcare Cybersecurity Action Plan – Published on January 15th, 2025, this action plan focuses on improving the cybersecurity posture of hospitals and healthcare providers across Europe through guidance, training, and policy coordination. |
Cybersecurity Challenges for Hospitals
Hospitals and healthcare providers today are operating in one of the most complex cybersecurity environments yet. While digital transformation has brought major improvements to patient care and data management, it has also created new vulnerabilities.
Understanding the main challenges hospitals face when dealing with ransomware threats is the first step toward strengthening their defences.
Let’s briefly discuss them:
- Legacy Systems and Outdated Software – Many hospitals still rely on medical equipment and IT infrastructure built years ago. These systems often lack modern security features and are difficult to update, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
- High-Value Data and Limited Budgets – Healthcare records contain sensitive personal and financial details, making them highly valuable on the dark web. Unfortunately, many healthcare organisations operate under tight budgets, which limits their ability to invest in comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
- Complex IT Environments – Hospitals use a mix of medical devices, third-party platforms, and cloud applications. The more interconnected the environment becomes, the harder it is to monitor every potential entry point and detect malicious activity in real time.
- Human Error and Lack of Training – Employees can be one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Phishing emails, weak passwords, or unintentional clicks often open the door to attackers.
- Third-Party Vendor Risks – Healthcare providers often work with vendors and external partners who may not have the same security standards. A single weak point in this extended network can compromise an entire system.
- Limited Incident Response Capabilities – Many hospitals struggle to respond quickly when an attack occurs. Without a clear incident response plan, recovery can take longer, increasing downtime and financial loss.
Best Practices for Healthcare Providers to Mitigate Ransomware Risks
Cybercriminals can target any industry, even if they compromise human lives, with ransomware being among the most frequent and serious types of attacks. However, by taking a few consistent and practical measures, healthcare organisations can greatly reduce their exposure to these threats.
Below we will discuss some best practices that every healthcare provider should apply:
- Keep Systems Updated and Patched – Regularly updating operating systems, software, and medical device firmware closes security gaps that attackers often exploit. A structured patch management routine ensures that vulnerabilities are fixed before cybercriminals can use them.
- Strengthen Access Controls – Limit system access to only a few people who truly need it and use role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive data. This way, even if a password is stolen, attackers cannot easily gain entry.
- Train Staff Continuously – Regular training helps employees recognise phishing emails, avoid unsafe links, and understand how to report suspicious activity. The goal is to make cybersecurity a shared responsibility.
- Segment the Network – By separating critical medical systems from administrative or guest networks, hospitals can prevent ransomware from spreading across the entire infrastructure. Network segmentation also helps isolate infections quickly during an incident.
- Back Up Data Regularly and Securely – Reliable, encrypted backups stored offline or in secure cloud environments allow organisations to restore operations faster after an attack. But it’s important to test these backups periodically to ensure they can be used in an emergency.
- Establish a Clear Incident Response Plan – Having a well-documented incident response plan that defines roles, responsibilities, and communication steps can make the difference between a short disruption and a full-scale crisis. Regular drills keep the team prepared.
- Partner with Trusted Cybersecurity Experts – Healthcare systems often lack in-house resources to manage evolving threats. Partnering with cybersecurity specialists can give you access to continuous monitoring, advanced threat detection, and guidance tailored to medical environments.
Secure Patient Care with Proven Cyber Defense Services
Cybercriminals are evolving at an alarming rate, making it difficult for many individuals to keep up. For those operating in the healthcare industry, where systems are outdated but responsibilities are high, ransomware can become overwhelming.
At CyberGlobal, we understand these risks, and we strive to help businesses just like yours deal with complex digital threats. With deep industry knowledge and experience working with giants like Mercedes-Benz and Red Bull, we are equipped to tackle modern-day challenges that seek to compromise your security.
Here’s a glimpse into our cybersecurity suite:
- Penetration Testing for Healthcare – Our specialists simulate real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before criminals can exploit them.
- Social Engineering Training – We help your staff recognize phishing attempts and strengthen their awareness against human-targeted attacks.
- Application Testing – We assess the security of your software and web applications to make sure that patient data remains protected at every access point.
- Threat Intelligence – Our experts monitor and analyze emerging cyber threats so your organization can stay one step ahead of old and new threats.
- GRC for Healthcare – We help you align your cybersecurity framework with compliance standards, ensuring both resilience and regulatory compliance.
With CyberGlobal, you can navigate the digital space more confidently, knowing that you’re backed up by industry-approved professionals who work side by side with your team.
We bring more than just the right technology. We will bring the right people.
Don’t let cybercriminals get the best of you. Protect your business, your staff, and your clients by reaching out to us today. Together, we can customize the perfect security strategy for your systems.
