Cybersecurity challenges in healthcare systems

Digital technologies are being increasingly adopted in healthcare, which has greatly enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and the quality of medical care. On the other hand, the pervasiveness of such digital interconnections has exposed health systems to a broad array of cybersecurity threats. Medical institutions retain highly sensitive patient information and require unquestioned continuity of systems, which in turn places them as potential targets for cyberattacks. This study provides a structured and literature-driven analysis of cybersecurity challenges in healthcare systems, focusing on threat types, system vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies. As opposed to purely descriptive surveys, this study incorporates a quantitative risk assessment perspective to support decisions in an analytical format. Cyber-risks will be analyzed using probability-impact relationships reported in existing studies to provide evidence about the relative severity of different attack vectors. Another issue raised by the paper is the organizational, technical, as well as human factors that present a barrier to the implementation of adequate cybersecurity measures. In the synthesis paper, recent research is used to present a wide-ranging and knowledge-based source for future cybersecurity researchers and practitioners. The findings used in the paper highlight the holistic nature of the role played by cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.