CloudWave’s Predictions for Healthcare IT in 2025 Part 2: Shifting from Detection to Prevention in Healthcare Cybersecurity

In the first installment of CloudWave’s predictions series on what healthcare IT developments we expect to see throughout 2025, we discussed why healthcare organizations must prioritize patient-centric cybersecurity approaches to maintain compliance and better protect care delivery in the face of continued cyber threats. In our second segment of this series, we will share our thoughts on how healthcare organizations will implement more proactive cybersecurity approaches that emphasize prevention in addition to detection and response.

For years, healthcare cyber strategies have been primarily focused on threat detection, with a checklist approach to meeting regulatory requirements. However, the industry is now on the threshold of a significant shift in its approach to cybersecurity as this reactive approach has proven ineffective in preventing cyberattacks, particularly ransomware attacks. The reason is that threat detection primarily centers on responding to attacks rather than measures to prevent them.

We expect to see an approach to cybersecurity that emphasizes prevention, and proactive response and detection. This will involve utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR). It will also embody a broader use of “red teaming”, a proactive approach to cybersecurity that involves simulating cyberattacks to test an organization’s defenses. By identifying vulnerabilities and testing responses, healthcare organizations can refine their technical capabilities and playbooks, enabling them to take more immediate action to stop cyberattacks.

In addition to prevention, healthcare organizations must still prepare for the worst-case scenario – a successful cyberattack. This involves developing incident response plans and conducting tabletop exercises that better educate clinical teams on responding to a cyberattack by answering questions such as what happens when critical patient care systems such as the EHR go down?

These exercises also enable organizations to identify gaps in their response plans to ensure that the entire healthcare ecosystem can continue to operate with a focus on patient care in the face of a cyberattack. This includes functional areas such as supply chain management, clinical operations, financial operations, and IT operations working together in an incident response.

In addition, cyber liability insurance providers are requiring healthcare organizations to demonstrate evidence of proactive measures to prevent cyberattacks, further emphasizing the importance of this approach.

The shift from detection to prevention will mark a significant turning point in healthcare cybersecurity in 2025. Implementing proactive strategies will be crucial as healthcare organizations navigate the increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape. By prioritizing prevention, response, and detection, healthcare providers can safeguard patient care, ensure regulatory compliance, and stay ahead of emerging threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

As hospitals embrace more AI technologies in an effort to move towards cyberattack prevention, establishing robust policies and procedures is crucial. We invite you to request our customizable AI Privacy & Security Template that provides a set of policies and procedures focused on the implementation, governance, and risk management of AI technologies within healthcare settings.

Richard Phung, EdM, CISSP, SSCP, CIPP/US, Director, Cybersecurity Tactical Operations Center