IT leaders across the healthcare industry grapple with a host of competing challenges. Technical operations, strategic planning, project management, talent management, vendor management, budgeting, etc. – the list goes on, and each need vies for more and more attention and resources as the years pass.
With cybersecurity threats more prevalent than ever, you’d assume security risk management would be at the top of the list, but new data shows that growing concerns around economics, regulatory compliance, and other factors have pushed cybersecurity down to a disturbingly low priority level.
Our 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report found that those responsible for IT across a wide swath of healthcare verticals – including medical offices, ambulatory care, life sciences companies, and more – see the following challenges as the most significant hindering their business success in 2025:
With cybersecurity ranking last, leaders may be underestimating how a successful cyberattack or data breach could impact nearly every other priority on the list. |
Interestingly enough, healthcare leaders clearly recognize the importance of cybersecurity – based on their assessment about its potential impact on patient care. According to the survey, 1 in 5 leaders admit cyberattacks have already affected patient care, and 52% believe a fatal cyber incident is inevitable within five years.
These observations are not without merit. Technology is woven into the fabric of our healthcare systems – electronic medical records chronicle patient care and outcomes, robotics power advanced surgical procedures, telemedicine platforms enable virtual relationships between patients and providers, and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing clinical developments and pharmaceutical breakthroughs. With systems and data interconnected at every turn – and cybercriminals ready and willing to take advantage of the slightest weakness – it’s no wonder there’s concern that patients may ultimately pay the price.
Unfortunately, without key investments and focus on cybersecurity risk management and governance, this risk is only likely to increase. Survey data shows that more than 80% of healthcare companies were targeted by a cyberattack in the past 12 months, shining a critical light on the need for additional cybersecurity focus.
Despite the rising frequency and impact of cyberattacks, many healthcare organizations continue to treat cybersecurity as a supporting IT concern rather than a core operational priority. But the reality is clear: cybersecurity actually underpins every facet of healthcare delivery.
Achieving goals relative to regulatory compliance, cost control, and effective patient care cannot be successfully accomplished when cybersecurity is routinely deprioritized. And with threats increasing and the industry bracing for potential new HIPAA requirements, the pressure to modernize will only intensify.
Gone are the days when IT and cybersecurity were siloed away from the rest of the organization. Healthcare companies that elevate security to the executive agenda and support it with the same level of investment and governance as other core business functions will not only be better prepared to defend against modern threats, but also better positioned to scale and innovate – while keeping patients safe.
Cyberattacks. Care disruption. Outdated systems. Mounting compliance pressure. The numbers don’t lie – uncover what’s putting patients and providers at risk in this must-read report.