Cybersecurity often feels like a far-off concern—until it’s not. For healthcare organizations, a breach isn’t just a bump in the road; it can derail your ability to serve the people who need you most. So, how do you make healthcare security a priority without overwhelming your team? Braden Anderson, Radicle Health’s Senior Director of Security, breaks down what you can start doing today to foster a security-first mindset—and keep your organization one step ahead of cyber threats. 

Why Healthcare Organizations Are a Prime Target for Cyber Attacks (And How to Fight Back) 

Healthcare data is a goldmine for cybercriminals, and breaches can cost millions—not to mention the loss of trust in your community. Client records contain information invaluable for identity theft, making them a prime target. “Healthcare has seen a 70% rise in breach costs over the past five years,” Braden notes, underscoring the situation’s urgency. 

Why does this matter? Because cybercriminals are evolving just as quickly as your technology. Ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and malware have become increasingly sophisticated, leaving organizations vulnerable if they aren’t keeping pace with security trends. The good news is that there are actions you can take right now to make a difference: 

What You Can Do Today: Share this statistic with your team: “Healthcare breach costs have surged 70% over five years.” Use it as a rallying point to emphasize why every email click and password matters. This simple step can transform cybersecurity from a technical issue into a shared mission, fostering greater team awareness and buy-in.  

When everyone understands their role in safeguarding data, they’ll be more diligent and proactive, recognizing that small actions can prevent big risks. 

The Human Element: Turning Your Team into Your Best Defense 

It’s easy to think of cybersecurity as just a tech problem. But here’s the reality: three out of four breaches involve human actions—like clicking on phishing emails or using weak passwords. These aren’t malicious acts but reflect a gap in awareness and training. The good news? Humans can be your greatest defense if equipped with the right knowledge and tools. 

Braden shared a story during our recent webinar that illustrates a critical point: at Purdue University, a data breach exposed the passwords of over 5,000 students, all because they reused the same password across multiple accounts. It wasn’t the university’s systems that were initially compromised; it was a third-party service. This story reminds you that in the interconnected digital world, your organization is only as strong as its weakest link. 

What You Can Do Today: Run a “What Would You Do?” exercise at your next team meeting. Pull up screenshots of phishing emails and ask: “Is this something you would trust?” This 5-minute drill can train your team’s instincts and turn real-world risks into learning opportunities. 

Real Threats, Real Solutions: Implement These 3 Actions Now 

1. Ransomware & Phishing: Train, Test, Repeat 

Phishing scams and ransomware can turn a small mistake into a big problem. Attackers often leverage dual extortion, where they demand payment for access to data and then turn around and sell that same data. But don’t just teach how to avoid phishing scams—test these skills. Regular phishing simulations let your team practice spotting red flags and test their responses without real-world risks. 

What’s at stake? Nearly 50% of data breaches involve stolen credentials. Attackers know that users often trust emails that look legitimate—especially those featuring well-known brands. Cybersecurity is not just about spotting obvious scams but understanding the subtle ways attackers manipulate trust. 

What You Can Do Today: Set up a free phishing test for your team using a platform like Gophish. It’s quick, easy, and can reveal where your biggest risks lie. 

2. Password Management: Strong, Not Just Long 

Your team might think “just adding a number” is enough to secure passwords. It’s not. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts is like leaving the same key under every doormat. Remember that password reuse isn’t just a personal risk—it can directly expose your organization to breaches. 

What’s the impact? If an external site is compromised, attackers can use those stolen credentials to access your organization’s systems without even touching your own healthcare security defenses. This is especially true for users who recycle passwords across work and personal accounts. 

What You Can Do Today: Share a password manager guide with your team. Pick one that fits your budget and deploy it. It’s an easy win that reduces your exposure instantly. 

A password manager securely stores and encrypts your team’s passwords, making it easy for them to create and use unique, strong passwords across all accounts without needing to remember them. This tool generates, stores, and auto-fills passwords, reducing the risk of reused or weak credentials breaches. 

3. Proactive Patching: Don’t Let Vulnerabilities Linger 

Cybercriminals move fast, but you can move faster. Make sure your organization has a process to patch vulnerabilities as soon as they’re identified. A study by the Ponemon Institute found that 60% of breaches are preventable with timely patching, yet many organizations struggle to keep up. 

The reality? Attackers often exploit known vulnerabilities just weeks before a patch is planned to be released. Delayed patching leaves your organization open to attacks that could have been avoided. 

What You Can Do Today: Check your most recent software updates. Are you up to date? If not, flag it to your IT team now. This simple step can close the door on many common exploits. 

How to Build a Culture of Healthcare Cybersecurity—Starting with a Single Step 

Creating a security-first mindset doesn’t happen overnight. It requires embedding security into the DNA of your organization, from the boardroom to the mailroom. Here’s how you can start building a culture where healthcare security is everyone’s job: 

1. Empower Your Team: Equip every member of your organization with the knowledge to identify threats and take action. A well-informed team is your first line of defense. Regular security awareness training can reduce the chance of users clicking on a phishing email by up to 70%. 
2. Invest in the Right Tools: Leverage advanced tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to stay ahead of threats. EDR detects potential malware and helps isolate and neutralize threats before they cause damage. 
3. Foster a Continuous Learning Environment: Cybersecurity isn’t a “set it and forget it” situation. Regular training and updates keep everyone aware of the latest tactics and how to counter them. 

What You Can Do Today: Ask this question at your next leadership meeting: “How can we make security a habit, not a hassle?” This simple discussion starter can inspire new ideas and ensure that security becomes part of your organization’s DNA. 

The Path Forward: Let’s Make Healthcare Security Simple 

We’re in this together. At Radicle Health, we believe protecting your organization’s data is a shared mission. You can build a safer, more resilient organization by taking small, actionable steps today. We’re doing our part by ensuring our products stand up to evolving security threats so you can focus on what matters most—delivering impactful services confidently. 

Watch the full demonstration here for a deeper dive into healthcare security with our experts.