Cybersecurity In healthcare systems: safeguarding electronic health records (EHRs) and medical devices against emerging cyber threats

eorge, Awobelem A.G and Ogundipe, Akeem Olakunle and Bello, Aminat Bolaji (2025) Cybersecurity In healthcare systems: safeguarding electronic health records (EHRs) and medical devices against emerging cyber threats. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25 (2). pp. 2249-2262. ISSN 2581-9615

Healthcare organizations are increasingly dependent on digital technologies, such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, to improve patient care and streamline medical processes. However, this digital transformation has introduced significant cybersecurity risks, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive health data. This paper provides a comprehensive review of cybersecurity threats in healthcare, examines vulnerabilities in EHR systems and connected medical devices, explores encryption and blockchain technologies for data protection, evaluates regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA and GDPR, and discusses case studies of major cyber incidents. The study concludes with future directions for improving cybersecurity resilience in healthcare systems.