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Understanding the Most Common Types of Healthcare Data Breaches
Protecting patient data is central to the healthcare industry. Yet, data breaches remain a persistent and growing threat, compromising privacy, disrupting operations, and exposing organizations to legal and financial risk.
These breaches can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and emotional distress for affected individuals. Operationally, they cause system downtimes, delay treatments, and strain resources as organizations scramble to contain the breach and mitigate its effects. The ripple effects extend far beyond the initial incident, often resulting in long-term reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny.
Maintaining the integrity of patient data is not just a compliance requirement. It is an ethical responsibility and a foundational element of trust in healthcare.
Healthcare Data Breaches Are Rising
The number of healthcare data breaches has increased dramatically over the past decade. In 2016, there were 329 reported breaches. By 2023, that number had more than doubled to 739, averaging nearly two breaches every day (HIPAA Journal).
Before 2019, annual breaches remained below 500. Since 2020, the number has consistently exceeded 660. As of early 2024, nearly 100 breaches have already been reported, indicating the trend is continuing.
Primary Causes of Healthcare Data Breaches
Of the 739 breaches reported in 2023, 79.7 percent were attributed to hacking or IT incidents. This marks a 278 percent increase in ransomware attacks between 2018 and 2023 (HIPAA Journal).
These attacks are becoming more sophisticated, often exploiting vulnerabilities that should have been addressed long before they were discovered by threat actors.
Most Common Sources of Attack
In 2023, network servers were the most frequent source of healthcare data breaches, accounting for 68.2 percent of incidents. This is a significant increase from 56.6 percent in 2022. Email-based attacks declined slightly, from 22.9 percent in 2022 to 18.1 percent in 2023 (HIPAA Journal).
Impact on Healthcare Records
The 739 breaches in 2023 affected more than 168 million individual records. This is the highest number of breached records ever reported in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 112 million in 2015 (HIPAA Journal).
Average Breach Size Is Growing
Between 2018 and 2022, the average breach affected approximately 72,300 records. In 2023, that number jumped to 184,000 records per breach. Eight breaches in 2023 each impacted more than 4 million records, with the largest affecting over 11 million (HIPAA Journal).
Who Is Being Targeted
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) tracks breaches across four types of organizations:
- Healthcare Providers: 62.2 percent of breaches
- Business Associates: 23.4 percent
- Health Plans: 13.9 percent
- Healthcare Clearinghouses: Less than 1 percent
Healthcare providers consistently report the highest number of breaches, likely due to the sheer volume of hospitals and outpatient facilities compared to fewer than 1,000 health insurance carriers (HIPAA Journal).
Why This Matters for Healthcare Security Risks
These trends highlight the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures in healthcare. The sector faces unique challenges, including legacy systems, complex vendor ecosystems, and high-value data that make it a prime target for attackers.
Understanding these risks is the first step toward building resilience. By learning from past breaches, healthcare organizations can strengthen their defenses and reduce the likelihood of becoming the next headline.
Take Action Today
Do not become another statistic. Take our quick risk assessment to evaluate your system vulnerabilities. Learn how Asureti has helped healthcare organizations reduce exposure and build stronger, more secure environments.