For healthcare organizations, cybersecurity breaches are no longer a question of “if” but “when.” The 2024 Healthcare Provider IT Trends and Priorities report from KLAS Research and Bain & Company confirms what many CIOs already recognize: the threat landscape is growing faster than organizations can keep up.

The report shows that 77% of healthcare executives lack sufficient cybersecurity resources, and 24% point to limited budgets as a significant constraint. These challenges are even more pronounced for smaller facilities with fewer than 500 beds, leaving many unable to fully monitor or respond to growing risks.

Keeping patient data secure and care delivery uninterrupted despite these obstacles requires healthcare leaders to rethink how and where they invest in cybersecurity. They’re focusing on proactive defense, automation, and strategic partnerships that make security sustainable, not reactionary.

What Healthcare Leaders See as Their Top Cybersecurity Challenges

Healthcare leaders are responsible for securing one of the most challenging environments of any industry. Systems are interconnected, data is shared across countless applications and vendors, and care delivery depends on uninterrupted access to accurate patient information. That complexity makes healthcare a prime target, and most organizations are underprepared.

According to KLAS and Bain, the biggest cybersecurity challenges healthcare facilities face are:

• Staffing shortages (46%)
• Limited budgets (24%)
• Ongoing cybersecurity threats (15%)
• Incident preparedness (14%)
• Training, awareness, or compliance (14%)

These resource gaps directly impact patient care. Cyber incidents and other disruptions can delay treatments, disrupt scheduling, and erode patient trust. And for healthcare organizations already managing tight budgets and workforce shortages, every incident adds cost and complexity.

Where Cybersecurity Investments Are Headed — and Why

To address these growing risks, healthcare organizations are investing in both prevention and response. According to the KLAS/Bain report, incident preparedness, third-party and external entity risk management, and infrastructure modernization are top priorities — with incident preparedness alone accounting for 23% of planned cybersecurity investments.

These priorities reflect a dual focus: stopping attacks before they happen while ensuring continuity if a breach does happen. The shift toward proactive security planning reflects a broader cultural change — one that treats cybersecurity not as a compliance necessity but as a cornerstone of operational resilience.

AI: A Double-Edged Sword

The report also revealed that healthcare providers see AI as both a valuable tool and a growing threat. On one hand, it enables faster detection and automated threat analysis. But on the other hand, attackers are using it to develop more sophisticated phishing, malware, and social engineering tactics.

Here’s what healthcare providers said about AI’s impact on cybersecurity:

• 53% say AI has a high or significantly high positive impact on strengthening cybersecurity.
• 31% report a moderate positive impact, citing benefits such as automation and threat detection.
• 67% say AI is also creating high or significantly high cybersecurity challenges, including risks related to privacy, data misuse, and advanced phishing tactics.
• 38% identify real-time detection and response as AI’s top advantage, followed by automation and efficiency (23%) and combating malicious activities (19%).
• 17% of respondents say phishing and social engineering are among the biggest AI-related threats, while 15% cite AI as a double-edged sword that can both defend and attack.

Clearly, AI is accelerating both sides of the cybersecurity equation. Providers can ensure the technology strengthens — rather than compromises — their defenses by building AI strategies that emphasize human oversight, governance, and clear risk evaluation.

How GuideIT Strengthens Healthcare Security

You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to keep your healthcare organization safe and compliant as new challenges emerge. With GuideIT as your security partner, you can focus on patient care while we protect your IT environment with end-to-end security strategies aligned to your operational goals.

We offer three security programs — Core Shield, Advanced Shield, and Strategic Shield — to deliver security that fits your needs and budget.

Whether you need foundational protection or an enterprise-level strategy, GuideIT can help you stay ahead of threats while supporting continuous care delivery. Talk to one of our security specialists today to learn more.