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Healthcare industry faces rising cybersecurity threats: Report

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The report, titled ‘India Cyber Threat Report 2025’, also reveals that the healthcare industry experienced an average of 37.29 detections per endpoint, the highest among all sectors analysed

The healthcare sector in India has emerged as the most targeted industry for cyber threats, according to the latest cyber threat report released by Seqrite, the enterprise security arm of Quick Heal, a global provider of cybersecurity solutions. The report, prepared by researchers at Seqrite Labs in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), highlights a concerning trend, with healthcare accounting for 21.82 per cent of all detected cyber threats in 2024, surpassing other high-risk industries such as hospitality (19.57 per cent) and banking, financial services, and insurance (17.38 per cent).

The report, titled ‘India Cyber Threat Report 2025’, also reveals that the healthcare industry experienced an average of 37.29 detections per endpoint, the highest among all sectors analysed. This vulnerability is attributed to several factors, including the sensitive nature of medical data, outdated systems, and the rapid digitisation of healthcare services such as electronic health records and telemedicine platforms. These elements have made healthcare organisations attractive targets for sophisticated cybercriminals.

Malware detections in the healthcare sector were dominated by Trojans, which accounted for 43.38 per cent of all threats. Infectors followed at 34.23 per cent, while worms constituted 8.43 per cent. These malicious programs often exploit vulnerabilities in legacy systems or use phishing tactics to gain unauthorised access to networks. The report also noted that ransomware, though comprising a smaller percentage of detections at 0.30 per cent, remains a significant threat due to its potential to disrupt critical healthcare operations.

Geographically, Telangana recorded the highest detection rate in India with 55.90 detections per endpoint, followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The report also highlights the vulnerability of major urban centers, with Surat leading at 69.34 detections per endpoint, followed by Bengaluru and Jaipur. The prominence of these regions reflects their advanced digital infrastructure and high concentration of technology-driven industries, which inadvertently increases their exposure to cyber risks.

Emerging threats targeting the healthcare sector included Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), vulnerabilities in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), supply chain attacks, and AI-powered attacks. These sophisticated threats exploit the increased digitisation and interconnectedness of healthcare systems, posing significant risks to patient data and critical healthcare services.

To combat these evolving threats, Seqrite recommends conducting regular security audits, employee training on cybersecurity best practices, implementation of advanced threat detection systems, and collaboration with cybersecurity firms. The findings of the ‘India Cyber Threat Report 2025’ underscore the critical need for the healthcare industry to prioritise cybersecurity investments and strengthen defenses against the growing tide of cyberattacks.

 

 

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