The healthcare industry is facing a cybersecurity crisis like no other. In 2023, cybercriminals targeted healthcare with over 200 breaches, compromising 89 million patient records. By the first half of 2024, this wave of attacks surged by 9.3%, affecting 45.5 million more records. Ransomware, often devastating, hit hardest, demanding $1.5 million on average per attack and plunging hospitals into chaos as critical systems were locked and lives put at risk.
What’s at stake isn’t just money or data – it’s trust, safety, and patient care. A breach doesn’t just steal information; it can halt surgeries, delay diagnoses, and shatter the integrity of an entire organization.
The reality? Healthcare organizations are not prepared. And they can’t afford to stay that way.
The Human Side of Healthcare’s Cyber Crisis
Healthcare workers are extraordinary. They juggle life-saving decisions, long shifts, and constant multitasking while navigating the pressures of a high-stakes environment.
But here’s the hard truth: 46% of healthcare employees still fall victim to phishing attacks, even after training. Why? Because traditional training wasn’t built for the realities of their world.
Generic programs that ignore their unique roles, pressures, and time constraints are doomed to fail. When training feels irrelevant, disconnected, or burdensome, it’s no surprise employees view it as just another task to tick off during an already overloaded day.
It’s not that healthcare employees don’t care – they’re being set up to fail by an outdated system that doesn’t meet them where they are.
From Awareness to Readiness: The AEC Approach
At AEC , we believe that true security isn’t about checking boxes, it’s about building readiness. It’s about empowering every employee, from administrators to nurses, to become an active part of the defense against cyber threats.
So how do we do it? By rethinking everything about how cybersecurity training is delivered:
- Protecting What Matters Most:
AEC ’s training integrates seamlessly into daily routines, preparing employees to recognize and respond to phishing, smishing, and other cyber threats targeting sensitive patient and business data. - Training Tailored to Healthcare:
Not all employees are the same and neither are their training needs. Our adaptive platform delivers role-specific content in 42 languages, ensuring everyone, from doctors to support staff, gets training that feels relevant and actionable. - Making It Fit:
Healthcare professionals have no time for lengthy, boring sessions. That’s why our training is designed to be short, precise, and easy to absorb. Learning happens in moments, not hours, without interrupting the critical flow of patient care. - Real-Time Feedback, Real Progress:
When an employee makes a mistake, AEC ’s just-in-time learning delivers immediate feedback, turning slip-ups into opportunities to build stronger instincts. - Compliance Simplified:
HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulations aren’t just legal requirements, they’re vital to protecting patients. AEC ensures compliance isn’t just checked off, it’s embedded into the culture, with automated reporting that gives leaders confidence and clarity.
