Cybersecurity in Rehab: What Every Provider Needs to Know

In today’s highly connected world, cybersecurity has evolved from being more than just an IT concern. Now, it has become a frontline issue for every rehabilitation provider, from outpatient therapy clinics to long-term rehab centers.

Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated. While electronic health records, telehealth tools, and digital billing systems have improved patient care and convenience, they’ve also made the healthcare sector — especially smaller rehab and therapy providers — an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Why Rehab Providers Are Vulnerable

Compared to larger hospital systems, many rehabilitation and therapy practices operate with leaner IT budgets and smaller in-house teams. This can make them an easier target for hackers looking to exploit outdated software, weak passwords, or minimal staff training.

Rehab centers also handle highly sensitive patient data, from detailed medical histories to therapy notes and insurance information — data that can be sold on the black market or held for ransom.

Another risk comes from third-party vendors. Many rehab clinics rely on outside partners for billing, scheduling, or telehealth services. If those vendors don’t have strong cybersecurity measures, they can open the door to breaches.

Recent Cyberattacks Show the Risks

According to The HIPAA Journal, the healthcare sector experienced 181 confirmed ransomware attacks in 2024. Those attacks compromised more than 25 million healthcare records. Rehabilitation and therapy providers were among those targeted, with some of the most impactful incidents being:

• Change Healthcare (February) — A massive ransomware attack disrupted billing, e-prescriptions, and insurance claims nationwide, exposing data of more than 100 million people and costing nearly $3 billion in damages.
• Ascension Health (May) — Cyberattacks caused system-wide outages across hospitals and rehab centers, halting access to EHRs and patient portals.
• Acadian Ambulance — Emergency transport services weren’t spared; a breach exposed nearly 3 million patient records.

All this goes to show that no provider is too small or too large to be targeted. No matter who you are, you need to be thinking about your cybersecurity systems and plans.

Common Cybersecurity Threats

1. Ransomware — Malicious software that encrypts data and demands payment for its release.
2. Phishing — Deceptive emails trick staff into revealing passwords or clicking harmful links.
3. Third-Party Breaches — Vendors with poor security can compromise your entire system.
4. Insider Threats — Mistakes or malicious actions by employees can lead to data leaks.
5. Unsecured Devices — Laptops, tablets, and phones used during patient sessions can be weak points if not protected.

Steps to Strengthen Security Without Slowing Down Work

Many clinics worry that more cybersecurity means slower workflows. But with the right approach, you can boost both security and productivity:

• Enable Single Sign-On (SSO) — Streamlines logins and improves security.
• Use Role-Based Access — Staff only see the information they need for their job.
• Automate Updates and Backups — Patching systems automatically saves time and closes security gaps.
• Train Staff Regularly — Well-trained employees are your first line of defense against phishing and other threats.

Actionable Ways to Protect Patient Data

1. Conduct a risk assessment to identify system vulnerabilities.
2. Encrypt all patient data, in transit and at rest.
3. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for logins.
4. Carefully vet third-party vendors for HIPAA compliance and security best practices.
5. Develop an incident response plan so staff know how to react if an attack occurs.
6. Keep software and systems up to date to fix security flaws.
7. Limit personal device use, or enforce strong security protocols for any that connect to your network.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. As a rehab provider, protecting patient data isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s key to maintaining patient trust and your organization’s reputation. By staying informed, using the right tools, and building a culture of security awareness, you can protect your practice from cyber threats while keeping care delivery smooth and uninterrupted.

For more information on cybersecurity for rehab providers, head to the NARA website and check out our webinars and resources.