In an alarming testament to the vulnerabilities of the U.S. healthcare system, 2024 saw 585 reported data breaches compromising nearly 180 million user records, exposing the fragility of sensitive medical data security.
According to a SecurityWeek analysis of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR) database, healthcare organizations remain a prime target for cybercriminals. While the total number of breaches was staggering, the actual number of affected individuals is likely lower than the 180 million compromised records, as some may have been exposed in multiple incidents. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of these breaches highlights systemic cybersecurity flaws.
The Anatomy of a Breach
The data exposed in these breaches ranged from personal identifiers such as names, Social Security numbers, and contact information, to critical healthcare and financial records. Hackers targeted various segments within the industry, with healthcare providers bearing the brunt of the attacks—accounting for 440 of the reported incidents. Business associates and health plans also faced significant challenges, with nearly 100 and 60 breaches respectively.
Hacking and IT incidents, including ransomware attacks, accounted for close to 500 of the breaches, making it the most common method of compromise. Unauthorized access or disclosure of data was the second most prevalent cause. Network servers were the primary attack vector in nearly 400 incidents, followed by email systems, which were implicated in approximately 130 cases.
The Hardest-Hit States and Organizations
Texas led the nation with 56 reported healthcare breaches, followed by California (43), New York (34), and Illinois (33). These numbers underline the nationwide scope of the crisis.
Among the most significant incidents was the breach at Change Healthcare, which resulted in the theft of data from approximately 100 million individuals. Other major healthcare organizations impacted included Kaiser Permanente (13.4 million records), Ascension Health (5.5 million), and HealthEquity (4.3 million). Smaller yet substantial breaches affected Concentra Health Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Integris Health, among others.
The Growing Imperative for Cybersecurity Reform
Healthcare data breaches in 2024 highlight the urgent need for the sector to adopt robust cybersecurity measures. Emily Phelps, Director at Cyware, emphasized the importance of collective efforts in fortifying defenses.
“The number of healthcare data incidents reported in 2024 underscores the opportunity to strengthen security practices across the sector," said Phelps. "In 2025, adopting approaches like real-time intelligence sharing and operationalizing threat intelligence can help healthcare entities work more effectively. By fostering collaboration and integrating automation and orchestration, healthcare organizations can streamline their defenses, improving their ability to identify and respond to threats quickly. A collective defense model enables organizations to share insights and best practices, building a more resilient and connected ecosystem that better protects sensitive patient information and ensures uninterrupted care.”
Toward a More Secure Future
The wave of data breaches is a stark reminder that the stakes are high in healthcare cybersecurity. With sensitive patient data at risk, the industry must adopt advanced solutions, such as automated threat detection, intelligence-sharing platforms, and stronger endpoint protections.
The challenges are significant, but as Phelps points out, so are the opportunities. By embracing a collective defense model and leveraging modern technology, the healthcare sector can take strides toward ensuring patient trust, uninterrupted care, and a more secure future.