The security of healthcare facilities is a complex priority as organizations work to safeguard both the physical environment and the digital assets crucial for delivering quality care. Integrating physical and cybersecurity solutions is essential to addressing modern threats effectively.
Emerging security technologies, including facial recognition systems and AI-driven surveillance, are becoming standard in healthcare. These advanced tools enhance the ability to track and manage individuals within facilities by identifying unauthorized access, monitoring unusual activity, and supporting security teams in responding to breaches in real time.
However, implementing such measures presents immense challenges. Budget constraints and logistical issues often hinder hospitals from maintaining up-to-date physical security infrastructure. Additionally, managing the constant flow of visitors — patients, families, contractors, and vendors — creates ongoing vulnerabilities. Striking the right balance between maintaining a welcoming atmosphere and securing restricted areas requires both advanced systems and strategic planning. Modern solutions aim to achieve this equilibrium, ensuring safety without compromising accessibility.
According to the survey “Securing the Future of Healthcare: Insights into Security and Resilience Across the Organization,” healthcare leaders fully grasp the complexities of the security task before them.
Status quo isn’t moving the security needle
Among respondents, 77% said they are either not satisfied or only somewhat satisfied with their existing security protocols, which indicates an industry that recognizes the risks but struggles with devising effective mitigation solutions. While seven in 10 organizations have implemented fundamental cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, these tools alone are no longer sufficient to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. Nearly half of organizations are planning to adopt new strategies to safeguard sensitive information
Although the need to integrate physical and digital security is widely acknowledged, many organizations are still navigating this complex transition. The ongoing struggle to find effective solutions underscores the critical need for innovation and flexibility in healthcare security strategies.
Greater integration between cyber and physical security seen
The integration of cyber and physical security systems is becoming a critical focus for healthcare facilities. A significant 77% of surveyed professionals view this convergence as essential for comprehensive security and 67% foresee increased integration within their organization. Combining cybersecurity with physical access controls, visitor management systems and real-time location systems (RTLS) enhances security by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive areas. RTLS adds another layer by tracking the locations of assets, staff and visitors in real time, improving risk management.
By incorporating tools like biometric access controls, surveillance systems, and RTLS into a cohesive framework, healthcare organizations can create robust defenses against evolving threats across cyber and physical domains.
Many manual, paper-based systems still in use
Although 30% of respondents to the survey have implemented access control systems within their facilities, and 24% use electronic patient management solutions, many manual processes remain. Nearly 40% of organizations still use paper forms and badges to manage visitor access.
Ensuring that visitors are visually identifiable and preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive areas or data are crucial for maintaining safety in healthcare environments. These measures enhance security while improving the visitor experience and supporting compliance with increasingly stringent healthcare regulations.
By integrating advanced, future-proof solutions—such as biometric access controls, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven analytics—healthcare facilities can address evolving threats proactively.
Real-time response systems gain traction
Underscoring the importance healthcare leaders are placing on physical security, 56% of facilities report using automated alert systems that can provide real-time notifications of potential threats. For personal security, nearly 60% still use traditional panic buttons, which sound general alerts and may frighten staff and patients.
A growing alternative is the duress badge that’s integrated with a real-time location system. Unlike the panic button, the duress badge is discreet, notifying security personnel of the exact location of a potential incident to allow help to arrive before it has a chance to escalate. Think of it as the difference between notifying security that there’s a fire in a particular location or tripping the a fire alarm that causes a building evacuation.
Budgetary constraints remain
Healthcare organizations large and small are still recovering financially from the pandemic. While patient volumes have rebounded, costs are outstripping reimbursement rates, which can delay needed physical and digital security projects.
Not surprisingly, the top barrier to greater implementation is lack of budget, cited by 74% of respondents. Other significant barriers include lack of executive support (31%) and the perception that upgrades aren’t a business priority.
The total cost of a single healthcare data breach has been pegged at more than $10 million, including direct and indirect costs that include remediation, reputational damage, loss of income, fines, greater regulatory scrutiny and decreased worker morale.
Potential seen for AI solutions
Survey results indicate that healthcare facilities are poised to adopt a wide array of emerging technologies aimed at bolstering security. AI-driven solutions stand out as a priority, with 53% of respondents expecting increased reliance on AI and automation within the next five years, while 35% are considering adoption within the next 12 to 24 months.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare security by delivering faster, more precise threat detection and response. Its capabilities include analyzing vast amounts of data in real time, identifying patterns that indicate potential breaches and automating incident responses.
As healthcare organizations continue expanding their digital ecosystems, integrating AI into security strategies will likely play a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining operational resilience.
