How Network Assessments Can Bolster Cybersecurity in Healthcare
Cyberattacks in any environment are disruptive and inconvenient. In healthcare, however, they can threaten the lives of patients, jeopardize care outcomes, compromise sensitive data, disrupt critical operations and cost millions of dollars.
Case in point: In 2024, a ransomware attack on a large healthcare system caused significant disruption for hospitals in 11 states as its electronic health record (EHR) system was taken offline, delaying clinical operations and care. Pharmacies went dark, and patients being transported via ambulance had no choice but to endure longer transport times as they were diverted from these hospitals to neighboring facilities.
But hospitals aren’t the only healthcare organizations at risk of cyberattacks. Last year marked the largest healthcare data breach in history, when a group used ransomware to steal sensitive data and encrypt files on a healthcare tech company's network. As a result, data for more than 100 million patients was compromised.
Although the attack was on the healthcare technology company’s network, it made waves across the U.S. healthcare ecosystem:
- Patients couldn’t pick up prescriptions unless they paid for them out of their own pockets
- Healthcare provider revenue cycles were disrupted, making it harder for companies to cover the costs of payroll and medical supplies
- Billing processes and insurance claims were halted
- Healthcare providers couldn’t process payments or access critical patient information
- Patients were exposed to potential fraud and identity theft
These attacks aren’t letting up anytime soon. According to the HIPAA Breach Reporting Tool, more than 100 healthcare breaches have already occurred in 2025, spanning states from California to Pennsylvania. These incidents are currently under investigation by the Office for Civil Rights.
How can your hospital prepare for possible cyberattacks so it’s not next on the list?
Master 3 key elements to improve cybersecurity
To be ready for a cybersecurity incident, it’s critical to have a detailed understanding of how your network is built, its bandwidth requirements and capabilities, and its biggest vulnerabilities.
Outdated systems, operational inefficiencies and security weaknesses can put hospitals and healthcare organizations at risk.
1. Know your network
Understanding the ins and outs of your network infrastructure can help you identify critical systems, data flows and interdependencies so you recognize what to prioritize and protect. This can include mapping your business and care operations to the networks and devices that support them so you know which areas are most critical.
2. Determine bandwidth capabilities
Recognizing bandwidth needs ensures that your network is prepared to handle high traffic without compromising performance. This is especially important during distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, where groups attempt to overwhelm your network with traffic to disrupt operations and render systems inaccessible.
3. Be aware of weaknesses
When you map out your network infrastructure and bandwidth capabilities, you can also assess vulnerabilities and weak points so they can be addressed before they’re exploited. These weaknesses can include things like:
- Outdated software
- Lack of network segmentation
- Too many high-level permissions
- Unsecured devices
- Misconfigured firewalls
- Using default passwords
- Unauthorized devices or software used by staff
- Unsecured remote desktop protocols or VPNs
The value of a network assessment in healthcare
The best way to learn more about your network, its capabilities and its vulnerabilities is through a network assessment.
When done right, a network assessment can:
- Align your network’s application, environment and standards with management, connectivity, installation and documentation best practices
- Evaluate redundancies and data transmission performance
- Assess operation, repair, monitoring and remote access capabilities
- Analyze hardware, software, protocols and healthcare technologies
- Evaluate network architecture, device configuration and operation, and maintenance practices
- Identify weaknesses, bottlenecks and areas that need improvement
- Pinpoint actionable ways to improve network performance
Belden understands the challenges that healthcare organizations face when it comes to protecting patients, staff and data. That’s why we offer a comprehensive solution with our Network Assessment Service (NAS).
After leading you through a five-step process, we provide tailored recommendations to address the issues we uncover during your network assessment. Our experts explain what the findings mean, describe how you can prioritize and implement the right fixes, and provide guidance on implementation.
We’ll help you build a resilient cybersecurity framework that protects patient data, ensures operational continuity and minimizes risks.
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About the Author
Matthew Odell, RCDD, is a digital automation consultant for Belden, acting as our resident healthcare expert. He specializes in complex projects and emerging technologies within the world of healthcare. Before joining Belden, Matt spent two decades in hands-on networking roles at a well-known healthcare institution, plus nine years in healthcare technology. In these positions, he worked in industry-leading healthcare, hyperscale data center and design/build construction environments. Matt is an active member of several healthcare industry associations and served as a BICSI regional director.