The FBI, in coordination with the American Hospital Association, has designated healthcare as the primary target for ransomware and other cyber threats during 2025. This assessment reflects ongoing vulnerability in a sector responsible for patient care, emergency response coordination, and critical health infrastructure.
Healthcare systems present high-value targets because ransomware attacks can directly impact patient safety, disrupt medical records access, and force facility closures. The sector's reliance on networked medical devices, legacy systems, and interconnected EHR platforms creates multiple entry points for threat actors seeking both financial gain and operational disruption.
For preparedness planners, this designation carries direct implications: hospitals and clinics operating in your region may face service interruptions, delayed diagnostics, or reduced emergency capacity during an active ransomware event. Supply chain delays in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment may compound localized outages.
What to monitor:
- Hospital network status and any public advisories from your local health department
- Backup communication channels for medical facilities (radio frequencies, alternate contact methods)
- Inventory of critical medications and first-aid supplies that may face supply delays
Practical step: Contact your primary care provider or local hospital to understand their continuity protocols. Ask whether they maintain offline backup systems for critical patient records and emergency procedures. This informs your own planning—knowing facility vulnerabilities helps you adjust response timelines for non-emergency medical decisions.
The threat is not speculative; it is based on observed attack patterns. Preparedness here centers on realistic assumptions: sustained healthcare cyber risk means individual resilience in health management, medication stockpiling for chronic conditions, and knowledge of alternative care pathways.
