Threat Landscape for Healthcare Organizations

Recent attacks on UnitedHealth, the UK’s National Health Service, and the Hôpitaux de Paris demonstrate healthcare’s vulnerability to cyber threats. As digital transformation accelerates, security teams face challenges protecting patient data and critical systems.

ForgeRock’s 2024 Breach Report confirms that healthcare has remained a primary breach target for five consecutive years. The devastating Change Healthcare ransomware attack showed how security failures can paralyze essential services across healthcare networks, disrupting patient care and provider operations nationwide.

Identity-Centric Security for Healthcare Cybersecurity

Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) have become fundamental to healthcare cybersecurity for several reasons:

• Complex access requirements: Healthcare environments support clinicians, administrative staff, vendors, and patients—each requiring unique access privileges
• High-value data assets: Patient records contain comprehensive data that commands premium prices on dark markets
• Hybrid technology landscape: The coexistence of modern and legacy systems creates security gaps
• Life-critical operations: Security measures must balance protection with uninterrupted clinical workflows

Most successful healthcare breaches exploit identity vulnerabilities through credential theft, privilege misuse, or social engineering. Robust IAM and PAM strategies directly address these primary attack vectors.

Core Elements of Healthcare Identity Security

• Clinical-optimized SSO: Reduces authentication friction while maintaining security across multiple clinical and administrative systems.
• Role-Based Access Control: Aligns access privileges with clinical responsibilities and workflows
• Streamlined Provisioning/Deprovisioning: Automatically manages access as staff join, change roles, or leave
• Regular Access Certification: Verifies that access privileges remain appropriate through scheduled reviews

Healthcare organizations need specialized IAM capabilities for emergency access protocols, shared workstation management, and clinical workflow integration. The right solution carefully balances security controls and care delivery requirements.

PAM Capabilities for Protecting Critical Systems

• Secure Credential Management: Vaults privileged passwords and automates credential rotation
• Privileged Session Monitoring: Records administrative activities for compliance and forensic analysis
• Just-in-Time Access: Provides elevated privileges only when needed and only for limited durations
• Principle of Least Privilege: Ensures users receive minimum necessary access for their responsibilities

Healthcare security teams should prioritize PAM protection for system administrators, database managers, and application owners who can access sensitive patient data or modify critical systems.

Multi-Factor Authentication Designed for Healthcare

MFA significantly strengthens security by requiring additional verification factors beyond passwords. Healthcare-optimized MFA incorporates:

• Workflow-friendly factors: Proximity badges, biometrics, or push notifications that minimize clinical disruption
• Risk-based authentication: Adjusts requirements based on context, location, and resource sensitivity
• Emergency access protocols: Enables rapid system access during critical care situations with appropriate compensating controls

Practical Implementation Approach

A successful identity security program in healthcare should follow a strategic, phased implementation:

Begin with assessment: Start by understanding your current environment. Inventory systems containing sensitive data, map existing access controls, identify high-risk privileged accounts, and document clinical workflows that require special security considerations.

Focus on immediate protection: Secure the most vulnerable areas first. Implement MFA for remote access, protect administrative accounts with essential credential management, establish emergency access procedures, and review access rights for critical systems.

Build foundational capabilities: Once basics are secured, deploy SSO to streamline authentication while maintaining security. Connect access management to HR systems for automated provisioning, monitor privileged sessions on high-risk systems, and develop role models that match clinical functions.

Advance your security posture: As your program matures, implement more sophisticated controls like just-in-time privileged access and risk-based authentication. Automate compliance reporting and maintain regular security testing and awareness training.

Emerging Identity Security Trends for 2025

AI-Powered Identity Protection

Machine learning is transforming healthcare identity security by:

• Detecting anomalous access patterns indicative of credential compromise
• Identifying potential insider threats through behavioral analysis
• Automating access reviews with intelligent recommendations
• Delivering real-time risk assessment during authentication attempts

Zero Trust Architecture for Healthcare

Zero Trust models are replacing traditional network defenses with “never trust, always verify” principles:

• Continuous verification of every user and device, regardless of location
• Micro-segmentation between clinical, administrative, and biomedical systems
• Default deny access policies with explicit permission grants
• End-to-end encryption protects data throughout its lifecycle

Machine Identity Management

As healthcare facilities deploy more connected devices and automated systems, securing non-human identities becomes mission-critical:

• Medical IoT devices require secure authentication protocols
• Service accounts need strict privilege limitations and monitoring
• API connections between systems must maintain secure identities
• Automated credential rotation prevents the compromise of machine accounts

Actionable Strategies for Healthcare Security Leaders

1. Prioritize usability alongside security: Controls that impede clinical workflows will be circumvented; design with clinician input
2. Select healthcare-specific security tools: Generic solutions often fail to address unique healthcare requirements and regulations
3. Implement defense-in-depth: Layer complementary security controls to protect against various attack scenarios
4. Develop identity-focused incident response: Prepare specific playbooks for credential compromise and privilege escalation
5. Build security awareness: Train staff on identity threats with healthcare-specific scenarios and examples

Conclusion

Identity-centric security—focused on IAM and PAM—provides the foundation for effective healthcare cybersecurity. Security teams can significantly strengthen defenses against sophisticated attacks targeting the sector by implementing these solutions with healthcare’s unique operational requirements.

The most successful approach combines strong technical controls, identity and governance processes, targeted security training, and continuous monitoring. Start by protecting the most critical systems and privileged accounts, then expand protection methodically.

By strategically implementing identity security measures, healthcare organizations can defend against evolving threats while maintaining the operational efficiency necessary for quality patient care.