57a. Securing Healthcare in the AI Era: Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions.

The healthcare sector is grappling with a surge in cyber threats, compromising patient safety and institutional integrity.

The healthcare sector is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, threatening patient safety and institutional stability. With the rise of AI-driven healthcare systems, new vulnerabilities emerge, making cybersecurity a top priority for hospitals and medical institutions worldwide.

1. The Escalating Threat of Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks against healthcare institutions are growing in frequency and severity. Ransomware and data breaches exploit outdated IT infrastructure, third-party vulnerabilities, and weak authentication mechanisms.

In 2024, the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware attack on Change Healthcare disrupted U.S. healthcare services nationwide, delaying prescriptions and critical patient services. Similarly, Australia’s Medibank breach exposed millions of sensitive patient records, raising urgent concerns over healthcare data security. As healthcare organizations integrate AI-driven tools, attackers are finding new ways to manipulate and compromise these systems.