Cybersecurity Threats Targeting Medical Practices — And How to Stay Ahead

Medical practices have become prime targets for cybercriminals. With the high value of patient data, strict HIPAA requirements, and often limited IT resources, healthcare organizations are especially vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. For medical practices of any size, strong security is no longer optional — it’s essential for protecting patients and keeping operations running. Here’s a look at the biggest threats facing medical practices today, and how partnering with a strategic partner offering managed IT security services can help you mitigate risks and stay ahead. 

Why Medical Practices Are Attractive Targets for Cybercriminals

Medical practices don’t just deliver care — they also manage vast amounts of sensitive data, including health records, lab results, and insurance details. That data is worth a fortune for cybercriminals, making healthcare a top target for hackers. John Riggi, Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, American Hospital Association, explains why medical practices “get hit more” by cybercriminals:  "Health care organizations are particularly vulnerable and targeted by cyberattacks because they possess so much information of high monetary and intelligence value to cyber thieves and nation-state actors. The targeted data includes patients’ protected health information (PHI), financial information like credit card and bank account numbers, personally identifying information (PII) such as Social Security numbers, and intellectual property related to medical research and innovation." A few key statistics underscore the scale of the threat:

• According to an IBM article on cybersecurity risks in healthcare, 89% of healthcare organizations report experiencing nearly one attack per week.
• More than 9 in 10 healthcare organizations were attacked in 2024 — and 70% saw disruptions in patient care, according to Cybersecurity Dive.
• With a typical hospital bed now having 10-15 connected medical devices, 63% of known exploited vulnerabilities can be found in hospital networks, according to the HIPAA Journal. 

For small and midsized medical practices, the financial and reputational fallout from a cybersecurity breach can be devastating. Medical practices must adopt a layered, proactive security posture — not just reactive fixes.

Top Cybersecurity Threats Facing Medical Practices

Here are some of the most common and dangerous cybersecurity threats specific to the healthcare industry.

Ransomware and Double Extortion

Cybercriminals lock you out of patient records and demand payment, sometimes also threatening to post stolen data online. For more information, read our blog on The State of Ransomware in 2025: What Businesses Need to Know.   Why it matters in healthcare: Losing access to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) or imaging systems can halt patient care and force medical practices into costly, high-pressure decisions.

Phishing and Spear Phishing

Cybercriminals send deceptive emails or messages designed to trick staff into sharing credentials or clicking malicious links. Read our blog posts about phishing and spear phishing to learn more about these threats.  Why it matters in healthcare: A single compromised account can give hackers the keys to sensitive systems across your practice.

Medical Device Hijacking (MEDJACK)

Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in connected medical devices like infusion pumps or imaging equipment to gain access to your networks. Why it matters in healthcare: Many medical devices run outdated software and lack modern protections, making them easy entry points.

Insider Threats and Privilege Misuse

Current or former employees with access rights misuse them to steal or alter patient data. Learn more about 5 Essential Steps to Defend Against Insider Threats in Healthcare. Why it matters in healthcare: High staff turnover and poor account management increase the chance of insider misuse.

Legacy and Unsupported Systems

Older operating systems and applications often remain in use even after vendors stop providing security updates, leaving known holes that hackers can exploit. Why it matters in healthcare: Many medical practices rely on outdated systems that are expensive or disruptive to replace, creating easy openings for attacks.

Third-Party and Supply Chain Attacks

Criminals target a medical practice’s vendors, billing providers, or integrated software as a way to infiltrate your practice indirectly. Read Tower 23 IT’s Recommended Best Practices to Reduce Cyber Supply Chain Risks to minimize the impact of a supply chain attack. Why it matters in healthcare: Even if your own defenses are strong, a breach in a partner’s network can spill into your environment.

IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) Attacks

The growing number of connected medical devices increases opportunities for cybercriminals. Why it matters in healthcare: Weaknesses in connected devices can directly disrupt patient care and safety.

Guarding Against Cybersecurity Attacks — A Defensive Framework for Medical Practices

No security program is perfect. But with a layered, proactive approach — backed by professional expertise — medical practices can greatly reduce the risk of cybersecurity attacks. Here’s Tower 23 IT’s recommended roadmap.

1. Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment and Security Audit

Take stock of your entire IT environment — from office computers and medical devices to billing systems and cloud tools. Identify weak spots and prioritize the most critical areas, like EHR servers and imaging systems, for protection. This foundational work helps guide where managed IT security services should focus first.

2. Harden Identity and Access Controls

Require strong, unique passwords and add multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to give staff only the access they need to do their jobs, and regularly review accounts to close down old or unused ones.

3. Implement Micro-Segmentation and Network Segregation

Keep patient-care systems, such as EHRs and medical devices, on a separate network from front-desk computers or guest Wi-Fi. This way, if one system is compromised, it can’t easily spread to the rest. Read Tower 23 IT’s Tips to Protect Customers' PHI. 

4. Secure and Monitor All Endpoints

Use advanced protection tools that can spot and stop unusual behavior on staff computers and servers, otherwise known as network endpoints. Apply software updates quickly and keep an eye on logs for anything out of the ordinary.   Deploy next-gen endpoint protection, such as anti-malware and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools. Patch systems aggressively (especially for known vulnerabilities)

5. Protect and Manage Medical Devices and IoMT Systems

Treat connected medical devices like infusion pumps or imaging machines as part of your security plan. Place them on their own network, install updates when available, and work with vendors to keep them safe.

6. Train Employees and Run Phishing Simulations

Provide regular training so staff recognize suspicious emails and know how to respond. Simulated phishing tests can help build awareness across clinical, billing, and administrative teams.

7. Develop and Test an Incident Response Plan

Have a clear playbook for what to do if an attack happens — who to call, how to contain the issue, and how to notify patients if needed. Run practice drills so your team isn’t caught off guard.

8. Strengthen Backup, Encryption, and Recovery Strategies

• Keep backup copies stored separately from your main systems so attackers can’t reach or corrupt them during an incident.
• Protect patient data with secure coding so it stays safe whether it’s being stored or shared.
• Regularly test your backups by restoring files to make sure you can recover quickly and completely if systems go down.

9. Adopt Continuous Monitoring and Threat Intelligence

Use 24/7 security operations (SIEM or managed SOC) and threat intelligence feeds to flag potential incursions early. Early detection can stop an attack before it causes serious harm.  

10. Partner with a Trusted Managed Security Provider

Work with an experienced provider of managed IT security services to get 24/7 monitoring, expert guidance, and healthcare-specific compliance support. This ensures your practice stays protected without overburdening internal staff.

Tower 23 IT’s Managed IT Security Services

For most medical practices, trying to keep up with evolving threats on their own is unrealistic. Managed IT security services provide the expertise, tools, and around-the-clock monitoring needed to prevent attacks and minimize damage. At Tower 23 IT, our Managed Security offering is designed specifically for regulated industries like healthcare. From conducting risk assessments and securing medical devices to training staff and responding to incidents, we help medical practices in San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson stay compliant and secure. If you run or manage a medical practice, the time to act is now. Start by scheduling a 23-Point IT Checkup with Tower 23 IT — a fast, effective way to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do.  Contact us to schedule your free compliance consultation today.