Protecting EHRs:
Addressing Cyber Vulnerabilities

In February 2024, a ransomware attack on UnitedHealth’s subsidiary Change Healthcare exposed the private data of over 100 million people, the largest healthcare breach ever reported ⁽¹⁾. This incident, like many others, highlights the urgent need for stronger EHR security as cyberattacks grow faster, smarter, and costlier. With millions of healthcare records breached in 2024 alone and new federal rules proposing stricter cybersecurity in healthcare, protecting patient data is no longer optional; it’s a survival strategy.

This article breaks down the current threats in cybersecurity and why electronic health record protection matters now more than ever. We will also look at future trends and new technologies that can help improve healthcare data security.

Key Takeaways

1. Implement strong encryption and strict access controls to protect EHRs.
2. Adopt continuous monitoring to catch threats early
3. Follow updated HIPAA and HHS guidelines for robust security.
4. Invest in advanced technologies such as AI and Zero Trust.
5. Provide regular training to maintain a secure cybersecurity posture.

Current State of EHR Security

Prevailing Threats and Challenges

In 2024, healthcare data security came under siege. The US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reported 725 large breaches, with each breach averaging 379,633 records. Overall, 275 million records were breached, a 63.5% increase from the previous year. Most breaches (81.2%) resulted from hacking and IT incidents ⁽²⁾,⁽³⁾. A Reuters report published last year claims that since 2019, hacking, like phishing and stolen passwords, has increased by 89%, while ransomware attacks have spiked by 102% ⁽⁴⁾. These figures are shocking to accept but reveal how vulnerable EHR systems are to cyberattacks.

Case Study: The UnitedHealth Breach

As stated in the intro, one recent major incident is that of UnitedHealth. The HHS OCR confirmed this as the largest healthcare breach on record. Hackers from Blackcat (ALPHV) stole health insurance details, medical records, billing information, and Social Security numbers from UnitedHealth’s subsidiary, Change Healthcare. The attack exploited two critical flaws: No multifactor authentication (MFA) on a remote access portal. Delayed response: It took 8 months to notify victims after the February breach. The fallout? $22 million ransom paid, and threats of a second payment ⁽¹⁾.

Importance of Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Cyber breaches come at a high price. Imagine losing $4.88 million overnight. That’s the average cost of a healthcare breach in 2024, a 10% increase from 2023 and the highest since the COVID pandemic ⁽⁵⁾. But money isn’t the only loss. Breaches lead to lost customers, business downtime, and higher regulatory fines. In 2024, the OCR carried out 22 investigations and imposed nearly $13 million in penalties. The Biden administration was planning to update HIPAA rules with measures like multifactor authentication, which could cost $9 billion in the first year and $6 billion from years two to five. These regulations push healthcare organizations to invest in strong EHR security measures to avoid legal risks and penalties ⁽²⁾,⁽³⁾.

Strategies for Enhancing EHR Protection

Encryption, MFA, and AI Prevention

Healthcare data security demands more than firewalls. After the 2024 UnitedHealth breach, experts agree that encryption, MFA, and AI use are non-negotiable. Healthcare providers must use appropriate electronic health record protection measures such as strong passwords, MFA, AI-enabled attack surface management (ASM), and encryption to limit unauthorized access.

On the other hand, shadow data is a growing security risk, accounting for 35% of breaches, according to the 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report. These data are harder to track and protect, and take more time to identify and contain once a breach occurs. Theft of shadow data also costs 16% more on average ⁽⁵⁾. Hence, data should be stored in just 1 type of environment and must be encrypted both in transit and at rest so that even if stolen, it remains unreadable.

Adoption of Regulatory Guidelines

Staying compliant with regulations is key to ensuring EHR security. Healthcare organizations must follow the latest HIPAA standards and HHS Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs). Regulatory compliance ensures that robust safeguards like encryption, MFA, and continuous monitoring are in place ⁽⁶⁾. They should join industry groups like Health-ISAC and CISA to share threat intelligence and learn best practices. Such collaboration helps identify potential threats quickly and take necessary countermeasures. Regular cybersecurity training for staff and clear incident response plans also make a big difference. These proactive steps minimize legal and financial fallout.

Future of Healthcare Data Security

Advanced AI and Automation

AI and automation are the future of EHR security. It is likely that the use of AI will become standard for detecting cyberattacks by 2026. These tools also have huge cost-saving potential if integrated extensively into prevention workflows. In fact, the 2024 IBM report found that organizations using AI saved up to $2.2 million in breach costs ⁽⁵⁾.

Zero Trust Architectures

This security framework assumes every user and device threat until verified, and so verifies each access request to a network. This approach works well with MFA and network segmentation, creating a strong defense against cyberattacks. It is a key strategy for advancing healthcare data security ⁽⁷⁾.

Conclusion

Ensuring EHR security isn’t just about compliance, it’s about patient safety and trust. In 2024, data breaches hit record highs, costing organizations millions. Healthcare organizations must implement strong security measures, such as encryption, MFA, and continuous monitoring. The integration of AI and Zero Trust can help reduce breach risks over time. But they alone aren’t enough. CEOs and CMOs must take the lead by investing in cybersecurity and training their teams. Keeping patient data safe means protecting both lives and reputations.

A single breach can cost millions, damage patient trust, and cripple operations. IT Medical’s EHR systems safeguard sensitive patient data with zero-trust strategies, real-time monitoring, advanced encryption, and multi-layer authentication. Hospitals using our cybersecurity solutions significantly reduce breach risks, ensuring compliance while avoiding legal and financial fallout. CEOs and CMOs can fortify their systems without disrupting workflows. Don’t wait for a security failure. Schedule a free risk assessment today and secure your EHR data with confidence.

References

1. Shakir, U. (2024, October 25). UnitedHealth data breach leaked info on over 100 million people. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/25/24279288/unitedhealth-change-breach-100-million-leak

2. Alder, S. (2025, January 30). 2024 Healthcare Data Breach Report. HIPAA Journal. Retrieved from https://www.hipaajournal.com/2024-healthcare-data-breach-report/

3. Davis, W. (2024, December 29). The US proposes rules to make healthcare data more secure. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/28/24330878/the-us-proposes-rules-to-make-healthcare-data-more-secure

4. Vicens, A. (2024, December 28). Biden administration proposes new cybersecurity rules to limit impact of healthcare data leaks. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/biden-administration-proposes-new-cybersecurity-rules-limit-impact-healthcare-2024-12-27/

5. IBM & Ponemon Institute. (2024). Cost of a data breach report 2024. IBM Security. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach

6. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2023). Healthcare and public health sector-specific cybersecurity performance goals: Strengthening the cybersecurity of the healthcare sector and keeping patients safe and secure. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/12/06/hhs-announces-next-steps-ongoing-work-enhance-cybersecurity-health-care-public-health-sectors.html

7. Rose, S., Borchert, O., Mitchell, S., & Connelly, S. (2020). Zero Trust Architecture (NIST Special Publication 800-207). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-207