Healthcare Cyberattacks Surged in 2024: ClearDATA’s Threat Report Reveals Growing Risks and Critical Defense Strategies

New report uncovers AI-powered attacks, ransomware on the rise, and how healthcare organizations can stay ahead of cybercriminals

AUSTIN, Texas (February 13, 2025) – ClearDATA, healthcare’s trusted partner for managed cloud security, compliance and operational resiliency solutions, has unveiled its 2024 Healthcare Threat Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

The report reveals that healthcare remains a prime target for cybercriminals, with ransomware, AI-driven threats, and supply chain attacks escalating at an alarming rate. With detailed findings on emerging threats and proactive defense strategies, the report offers an inside look at the biggest cyber risks facing healthcare organizations—and how leaders can fight back.

“Cybercriminals are adapting faster than ever, using AI to supercharge phishing, automate malware, and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities,” said Rick Froehlich, CEO of ClearDATA. “Our report delivers the intelligence healthcare IT leaders need to understand today’s biggest threats and take action before they become breaches.“

Key Highlights from the 2024 Healthcare Threat Report

76% Decrease in Exploitable Attack Surfaces
ClearDATA customers achieved a significant 76% reduction in their attack surfaces through proactive security measures, including advanced vulnerability management and targeted threat hunting operations.

AI-Accelerated Threats Change the Game
The report identified the proliferation of AI-enabled attack methods, with adversaries deploying generative AI tools to enhance phishing tactics, automate malware creation, and evade detection. These advancements signal a significant escalation in the sophistication of cyberattacks.

Ransomware & Supply Chain Attacks Continue to Dominate Healthcare Attacks
Ransomware attacks continued to dominate the healthcare threat landscape, with nearly 300 healthcare organizations’ cloud data compromised by the 10 most aggressive ransomware groups in 2024—and the total number breached is very likely higher. Most notable of the attacks last year was on Change Healthcare, with UnitedHealth Group confirming a staggering breach victim count of 190 million patients. The report provides in-depth details on each of the top 10 groups to watch, including their techniques and targets. It also highlights a disturbing trend in third-party supply chain targeting, with vulnerable vendor ecosystems becoming a focal point for attackers.

Where Attacks Are Coming From: Global Threat Trends
ClearDATA observed a shift in the geographic attack landscape, with 53% of incidents originating in the United States—a 9% decrease from 2023. Meanwhile, threats from India and China surged by a combined 9%, now accounting for 15% and 8% of activity, respectively.

Threat Actor Evolution
High-profile ransomware groups like BlackCat experienced fragmentation, giving rise to splinter factions such as Cicada3301. Meanwhile, newer groups are leveraging shared tools and tactics, contributing to an increasingly formidable adversarial ecosystem.

How Healthcare Leaders Can Stay Ahead of Threats

“Threat actors are getting more sophisticated, and healthcare organizations must evolve just as fast,” said Charles Cinert, Chief Services Officer at ClearDATA. “The key is proactive defense—automated security, AI-driven monitoring, and strategic threat intelligence.”

The report provides actionable recommendations, including:

• How to harden your cloud security posture against ransomware and supply chain attacks
• The role of AI-driven security in defending against AI-powered cybercrime
• Key compliance and risk mitigation strategies to strengthen defenses across the healthcare ecosystem

Healthcare leaders can also join ClearDATA’s February 19 webinar, “Unmasking Cyber Threats in Healthcare,” for a breakdown of the 2024 Healthcare Threat Report from cybersecurity experts. Attendees will gain exclusive insights, hear real-world case studies, and get their questions answered in real time. The free webinar is available on Zoom as a live event, or participants can receive the webinar on-demand via email—registration is available here.

To access the full report and to learn more about how ClearDATA can help your healthcare organization focus on innovation instead of cloud infrastructure, visit www.cleardata.com.

Media Contact:
Erin Farrell Talbot for ClearDATA
917-232-9309
erin@farrelltalbot.com