Study quantifies healthcare cyber-risk, cost implications and resilience needs

 


A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research presents a comprehensive "Sociotechnical Cybersecurity Framework" to address the escalating cyber risks in healthcare. The research highlights how the complex interplay between human factors, technology, and organizational processes creates unique vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit. It moves beyond technical fixes to argue that resilience requires addressing "sociotechnical" gaps, such as workforce shortages and the rapid, often insecure, integration of new digital tools.

The study quantifies the severe implications of these vulnerabilities, noting that global cybercrime costs are projected to reach trillions, with healthcare being a primary target due to high-value data. By proposing a framework that integrates risk assessment with human-centric policies, the authors offer a roadmap for health systems to shift from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience. This approach aims to secure critical infrastructure while ensuring patient safety and financial sustainability.

Read the original article at: https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e75584


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