Reviewed by Dallas Stewart, President & Owner, CMIT Solutions of Bellevue. Last updated: October 2026.
Healthcare cybersecurity means protecting patient data, clinical systems and daily operations from cyberattacks. For a medical or dental practice, the best place to start is with the basics. That means a risk assessment, multi-factor authentication (MFA), staff training, tested backups and a plan for what to do if something goes wrong.
Patient records are valuable to criminals, and a ransomware attack can stop appointments, billing and prescriptions. This guide to cybersecurity for medical practices covers why healthcare is a target and the biggest threats. It also lists the first steps to take, for practices on Seattle’s Eastside and beyond.
Why is healthcare a target for cyberattacks?
Healthcare organizations hold detailed personal, medical and insurance information. That data can be used for identity theft and insurance fraud, so it is valuable on criminal markets. Practices also need their systems to treat patients. That creates pressure to restore access quickly after an attack. Many small practices also have limited IT staff, which makes them easier targets.
What are the biggest cyber threats to medical practices?
- Ransomware. Attackers encrypt electronic health records and scheduling systems and demand payment.
- Phishing. Fake emails trick staff into sharing passwords or opening malware.
- Business email compromise. Criminals impersonate vendors or leaders to redirect payments.
- Third-party risk. Billing services, software vendors and other partners can expose patient data.
- Connected medical devices. Devices that run old software can give attackers a way into the network.
- Lost or stolen devices. Laptops, tablets and phones often hold patient information.
Where should medical practice cybersecurity start?
Start with the steps that reduce the most risk for the least effort:
1. Have you completed a security risk assessment?
A risk assessment shows where patient data lives and what could put it at risk. It is also a required part of the HIPAA Security Rule. Use it to decide which fixes come first.
2. Is MFA turned on for email and remote access?
MFA blocks most attacks that rely on stolen passwords. Turn it on for email, your EHR, remote access and any cloud application that holds patient data.
3. Are staff trained to spot phishing?
People are often the first target. Short, regular training and simulated phishing tests help staff recognize suspicious emails and calls.
4. Are your backups protected and tested?
Back up patient records and practice systems every day. Keep at least one copy separate from your network, and test that you can restore it.
5. Are systems and devices updated?
Turn on automatic updates, replace unsupported computers and keep medical devices on their own network segment when possible.
6. Do you control who can access patient data?
Give each person only the access they need, use unique logins and remove access quickly when someone leaves.
7. Are your vendors managing their risk?
Ask vendors how they protect your data. Sign a business associate agreement (BAA) with every vendor that handles patient information.
8. Do you have an incident response plan?
Write down who to call, how to keep caring for patients during an outage and when to notify patients and regulators. Practice the plan before you need it.
Which healthcare cybersecurity frameworks can help?
Practices do not need to build a program from scratch. The HHS 405(d) program publishes the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP). Its recommendations are sized for small, medium and large organizations. HHS has also released voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals for the healthcare sector. Both offer a practical checklist that a managed IT provider can help you follow.
How does cybersecurity connect to HIPAA compliance?
The HIPAA Security Rule requires administrative, physical and technical safeguards for electronic patient data. Many of the steps above, such as a risk analysis, access controls, training and backups, are part of those requirements. Strong cybersecurity supports HIPAA compliance, and a HIPAA compliance checklist helps you document it.
How should practices secure telehealth and patient portals?
Telehealth platforms, patient portals and online forms all handle patient data. Choose platforms built for healthcare that will sign a BAA. Turn on MFA for staff accounts, limit who can export data and review access regularly. Make sure staff use secure networks, not public Wi-Fi, for telehealth visits.
How should medical devices and networks be protected?
Connected devices such as imaging systems, lab equipment and patient monitors often run older software. Many cannot be updated easily. Keep an inventory of these devices and place them on a separate network segment from staff computers and guest Wi-Fi. Change default passwords, restrict remote access by vendors and ask manufacturers how they deliver security updates.
How do you build a culture of security in a practice?
Technology alone is not enough. Leaders should talk about security in staff meetings. Make it easy to report suspicious emails, and thank people who do. Include security in onboarding for every new hire, and review your policies together once a year. A practice where everyone knows the basics is much harder to attack.
Why is email security so important for practices?
Most attacks on medical practices start with an email. A message that looks like it comes from a lab, an insurer or a vendor can carry a malicious link or a fake invoice. Email filtering blocks many of these messages before they reach staff. MFA stops criminals from using stolen passwords. DMARC, SPF and DKIM make it harder for attackers to pretend to be your practice.
How should practices manage passwords and logins?
Shared logins and reused passwords are common in busy practices, and they make attacks easier. Give every person a unique login. Use a password manager so staff can create strong passwords without writing them down. Set screens to lock automatically, and use badge or quick sign-in options where your EHR supports them. Remove access the same day someone leaves.
What should a practice do if a vendor is breached?
Vendors such as billing services, clearinghouses and software providers often hold patient data. If a vendor reports a breach, ask what data was involved and what they are doing about it. Change any shared passwords and review the access the vendor has to your systems. Check your BAA for notification duties, and talk with your IT provider about extra monitoring.
How can a practice keep caring for patients during an outage?
Plan downtime procedures before you need them. Keep printed schedules and contact lists for the next few days, paper forms for intake and prescriptions, and a list of who to call. Decide how you will tell patients about delays. Practice the plan once a year so staff know what to do.
What should a practice do after a cyberattack?
- Isolate affected devices from the network.
- Call your IT provider and your cyber insurance carrier.
- Switch to downtime procedures so patient care can continue.
- Preserve logs and evidence for the investigation.
- Follow HIPAA breach notification requirements if patient data was exposed.
What else do practices ask about healthcare cybersecurity?
Is healthcare cybersecurity only a concern for hospitals?
No. Small and midsize practices, clinics and dental offices hold the same kinds of patient data. They are often easier targets than large hospitals.
How much should a small practice spend on cybersecurity?
It depends on the size of the practice and its systems. Many practices use a managed IT provider for a predictable monthly fee. That fee usually covers monitoring, security tools, backups and support.
Does cyber insurance cover ransomware?
Many policies do, but insurers usually require controls like MFA, backups and training before they will provide coverage. Review your policy with your broker.
What is the first step in medical practice cybersecurity?
Turn on MFA for email and your EHR, then complete a security risk assessment. Those two steps close common gaps and show you what to fix next.
Should dental offices worry about cybersecurity?
Yes. Dental offices store the same kinds of patient and insurance data as medical practices. They face the same ransomware and phishing threats.
How often should a practice review its cybersecurity?
Review your risk assessment and policies at least once a year. Review them again after a new system, a new vendor or a security incident.
How can CMIT Solutions of Bellevue help with healthcare cybersecurity?
CMIT Solutions of Bellevue helps medical and dental practices on Seattle’s Eastside protect patient data. We provide security risk assessments, MFA, email protection, backup and 24/7 monitoring.
Call (425) 495-2214 to talk with our local team about cybersecurity for your practice.
