Blog Post

Healthcare providers keep our communities running – from GPs and allied health clinics to disability and aged care organisations. But with patient data, appointments, and billing all managed digitally, even a short IT outage can bring everything to a halt.

Unfortunately, healthcare has become one of the most targeted industries for cybercrime. Patient records are highly valuable on the dark web and can be used for identity theft, insurance fraud, and other serious crimes. Cybercriminals also know that healthcare organisations can’t afford downtime, making them prime targets for ransomware and other forms of cyber extortion.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reports that cybercriminals were successful in 95% of the healthcare and social assistance incidents they responded to in the 2024–25 financial year, compared with just 52% across other industries. For busy practices, the effects can be huge, leading to cancelled appointments, lost records, and reputational damage that’s hard to repair.

In this blog, we’ll look at the top five IT risks facing healthcare organisations – and what you can do to stay protected.

1. Data Breaches and Patient Privacy

Healthcare data is among the most valuable information online. Records don’t just include names and contact details – they also hold Medicare numbers, medical histories, and billing details. That makes even a single compromised account or lost device a serious risk for healthcare providers.

How to stay protected:

• Limit access so staff only see what’s relevant to their role.
• Store all data in secure, encrypted systems (cloud or on-premises).
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all logins.
• Provide regular training on data handling and cyber security awareness.

These steps help you stay compliant and build trust with your patients – showing your community that their data is in safe hands.

2. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware continues to be one of the biggest threats to healthcare organisations. A single attack can instantly lock access to patient records, booking systems, and billing – bringing your clinic to a standstill.

The ACSC reports ransomware incidents across the healthcare sector have doubled since the 2023–24 financial year. In one recent case, an e-prescription provider had 6.5TB of sensitive data stolen and encrypted, affecting years of patient records.

How to stay protected:

• Back up your data regularly – both locally and to a secure cloud.
• Test backups to ensure they restore quickly and correctly.
• Keep systems patched and up to date.
• Use advanced tools that detect and block ransomware activity early.

Having a proactive recovery plan in place means you can get back online quickly – without giving in to ransom demands.

3. Outdated Systems and Software

Many healthcare organisations still rely on ageing servers, unsupported operating systems, or legacy software that no longer receives security updates. These outdated systems are easy targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities.

Beyond the security risk, old hardware and software can cause compatibility issues with newer medical systems, delays in patient care, and even full system crashes during busy times.

How to stay protected:

• Keep systems secure with proactive patch management.
• Plan ahead for hardware and software upgrades.
• Consider secure cloud-based solutions for scalability and reliability.

Modernising your IT environment improves security and helps your team deliver care more efficiently.

4. Phishing and Human Error

Even with the best technology, human error remains one of the biggest risks. Phishing attacks often disguise themselves as legitimate emails from Medicare, suppliers, or internal staff – tricking busy employees into clicking links or sharing credentials.

Once attackers gain access, they can move through your network undetected.

How to stay protected:

• Run phishing simulations and awareness training regularly.
• Encourage staff to report suspicious messages immediately.
• Use advanced email filtering to block threats before they hit inboxes.

Building a security-aware culture is one of the strongest defences your business can have.

5. Lack of a Disaster Recovery Plan

Even with strong cyber security in place, things can still go wrong – from a cyberattack to a power failure or hardware fault. Without a tested recovery plan, clinics risk losing hours or days of productivity, which can interrupt patient care and damage trust.

How to stay protected:

• Create a business continuity plan tailored to your needs.
• Maintain long-term data retention for compliance and recovery.
• Test your disaster recovery process regularly to ensure it works.

When the unexpected happens, a clear plan helps you keep caring for patients with minimal disruption.

How Impact ICT Can Help

For healthcare providers, cyber security isn’t just about protecting systems – it’s about protecting people. One data breach can put patient safety, privacy, and your reputation at risk.

At Impact ICT, we work with healthcare organisations across Mandurah, Bunbury, and Perth to strengthen IT systems, meet compliance standards, and keep operations running smoothly. Our local team can help you assess vulnerabilities, improve backup and recovery, and align your security with the Essential Eight framework.

Book your free Healthcare IT Audit today and ensure your business is protected.