The European Commission has launched an EU Action Plan aimed at enhancing cybersecurity across hospitals and healthcare providers. This initiative is a priority within the Commission’s first 100 days under the new mandate, focusing on creating a safer, more secure healthcare environment for patients.
In November, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the grave consequences of ransomware attacks on hospitals, warning that such incidents could be “issues of life and death.” Alongside WHO, around 50 countries expressed their concerns at the United Nations about the escalating cyber threats targeting healthcare systems.
In 2023 alone, EU member states reported 309 major cyber security incidents in the healthcare sector—more than in any other critical industry. As healthcare facilities increasingly adopt digital tools like electronic health records and advanced workflow systems, they face a growing risk of cyberattacks that could disrupt operations, compromise sensitive patient data, and endanger lives.
The EU’s Action Plan seeks to bolster the healthcare sector’s defenses by building on existing cybersecurity legislation and broadening its scope to include general healthcare practices. Key objectives include preventing, detecting, mitigating, and deterring cyber threats. Additionally, the plan proposes the creation of a pan-European Cybersecurity Support Centre to offer tailored guidance and support to hospitals and healthcare providers.
The EU’s Action Plan seeks to bolster the healthcare sector’s defenses by building on existing cybersecurity legislation and broadening its scope to include general healthcare practices. Key objectives include preventing, detecting, mitigating, and deterring cyber threats. Additionally, the plan proposes the creation of a pan-European Cybersecurity Support Centre to offer tailored guidance and support to hospitals and healthcare providers.
Scheduled for refinement through collaborative efforts, the plan will roll out progressively over the next two years. Its comprehensive approach aims to enhance the healthcare sector’s resilience against cyber threats while supporting innovation and digital transformation.
Digitalisation in healthcare continues to offer significant benefits, from improved patient care to streamlined processes. The EU remains dedicated to fostering an environment where technology empowers patients, enhances care quality, and supports healthcare professionals, while ensuring robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard the system.
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