Recent research shows that email has become one of the most common entry points for cybercriminals targeting healthcare organizations. In today’s highly digital environment, email is widely used as an official channel for communication and verification. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers rely on email to confirm projects, exchange information, validate transactions, and coordinate with colleagues or partners. However, this convenience has also made email a prime target for cyber attackers looking to infiltrate sensitive systems.
A new study conducted by Paubox highlights this growing threat. In its 2026 Healthcare Email Security Report, the company found that healthcare organizations are increasingly exposed to cyber risks through email. According to the report, attackers are shifting their strategies. Instead of spending large amounts of time searching for technical vulnerabilities in software systems, many hackers now focus on gaining initial access to corporate networks by targeting employees directly through email.
One of the most common techniques used is phishing. Cybercriminals craft convincing emails designed to trick employees into revealing login credentials or clicking malicious links. Once attackers obtain these credentials, they can access internal systems and move deeper into the organization’s network. This initial breach often opens the door to more severe attacks, including data theft, data extortion, and ransomware infections that encrypt critical files and disrupt healthcare operations.
Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights also supports the findings of the report. The agency recorded an average of 177 healthcare data breaches in the past year. In many of these incidents, attackers successfully accessed electronically protected health information (ePHI)—a highly sensitive category of data that includes patient records and medical details.
Several factors contribute to these breaches. Poorly configured security systems, inadequate email protection measures, and a lack of cybersecurity awareness among employees often create opportunities for attackers. In some cases, simple human error—such as clicking on a suspicious link or downloading an infected attachment—can allow hackers to gain a foothold in a network.
The report also emphasizes a critical gap in email security practices. According to Paubox, more than three-quarters of the affected organizations had not implemented DMARC enforcement. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email authentication protocol that helps protect domains from being used in phishing attacks. When properly enforced, it instructs mail servers to reject, quarantine, or ignore emails that fail authentication checks, significantly reducing the risk of spoofed messages reaching employees.
Another notable finding is the widespread use of Microsoft 365 across the healthcare sector. While the platform offers a wide range of built-in security tools, it remains a frequent target for attackers. Misconfigurations, weak security settings, or insufficient monitoring can still allow cybercriminals to exploit the system and gain unauthorized access to healthcare networks.
Overall, the research underscores the urgent need for healthcare organizations to strengthen their email security strategies, improve employee cybersecurity training, and implement stronger authentication and monitoring systems to protect sensitive patient data from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
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