Urgent: Why Cyber Resilience Must Be a Priority for Health-Care Organizations

Cyberattacks on health-care organizations are no longer hypothetical threats—they’re daily realities with serious consequences. From delayed medical procedures to breached patient data and financial losses, the impact of these attacks is tangible and far-reaching. Recent findings from the 2025 Global Digital Trust Insights survey reveal that more than half of health-care leaders view cyber risks as their organization’s most pressing challenge. Yet, the sector’s investment in cybersecurity continues to lag behind other industries, exposing critical vulnerabilities.

Health-care organizations face unique challenges in allocating resources. Choosing between hiring frontline staff or investing in cybersecurity often creates a dilemma. However, the cost of inaction can be far greater, particularly as outdated technologies, insufficient controls, and a lack of coordinated strategies leave hospitals and clinics exposed. Cyber resilience, which goes beyond basic mitigation, is essential to ensure continuity in patient care and protect sensitive health information.

Efforts to address these risks must include regional and national collaboration. Initiatives such as Ontario's Regional Security Operation Centre pilot programs demonstrate how shared resources and collective strategies can enhance cyber defences while maintaining cost efficiency. By pooling expertise and technology, health-care organizations can modernize their systems and close resilience gaps. Yet, survey findings reveal significant room for improvement: fewer than half of health-care organizations have fully implemented critical cyber recovery measures like playbooks, recovery technology, and cross-sector information sharing.

Another significant opportunity lies in leveraging generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for cyber defence. By analyzing vast datasets, GenAI can detect and respond to threats more effectively, including spotting spoofed executive profiles or compromised credentials. Investments in AI-driven tools, alongside basic cybersecurity practices like robust access controls and encryption, are essential for managing the ever-expanding attack surface created by cloud reliance, connected devices, and third-party integrations.

Health-care organizations must also prepare for a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. New laws, such as Bill 194 in Ontario and federal bills C-26 and C-27, aim to enhance patient data protection and privacy. These regulations will require significant adjustments, from improving cybersecurity infrastructure to ensuring compliance with stricter rules on personal and health information. While demanding, these changes present an opportunity to strengthen trust and resilience across the sector.

At Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), we understand the unique challenges health-care organizations face. As a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), we offer tailored solutions like Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services. Our advanced Artificial Intelligence Division can further assist organizations in enhancing their cybersecurity and operational efficiency, ensuring they are prepared for both current and future risks.

The path forward for health care is clear: invest in resilience, collaborate on strategies, and embrace technological advancements to safeguard patient care. Organizations that take these steps will not only enhance their cybersecurity posture but also build the trust and operational stability needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.