By Zac Amos, Features Editor, ReHack
LinkedIn:Â Zachary Amos
LinkedIn:Â ReHack Magazine
Healthcare providers are more connected to global supply chains than ever before. They rely on them for advanced medical devices, critical pharmaceuticals and digital health tools that power modern care. These networks allow hospitals and clinics to deliver timely treatments and maintain efficient operations. Still, they also open the door to significant risk.
Cybercriminals have learned that by targeting suppliers, distributors and the digital platforms that support logistics, they can disrupt the entire flow of essential resources. This rising wave of cyberattacks threatens the continuity and business side of healthcare, which underscores the urgent need for stronger supply chain security.
How Hackers Threaten Healthcare Supply Chains
Cyberattacks often begin by infiltrating suppliers or distributors, giving hackers an indirect pathway into hospital networks and systems. Once inside, they can hold critical supply chain data hostage, which can cause costly delays in delivering essential medical equipment and disrupt patient care. Vulnerabilities in third-party systems also expose sensitive information. In 2024, the protected health data of more than 276 million individuals were stolen or compromised.
Beyond data breaches, attackers frequently target tracking software, transportation management systems and digital ordering platforms, undermining the flow of vital resources. The healthcare sector faced 16% of all ransomware attacks in the fourth quarter of 2023. It’s one of the most frequently targeted industries and a prime example of why supply chain resilience must be a top priority.
The Fallout of Supply Chain Attacks
Supply chain cyberattacks create ripple effects beyond information technology (IT) systems. They often result in shortages of lifesaving drugs, personal protective equipment (PPE) and surgical equipment that providers need to deliver safe, effective care. To keep operations moving, hospitals must pay higher prices to secure alternative suppliers, which puts additional strain on already tight budgets and procurement teams.
These repeated disruptions also weaken confidence in vendor relationships, eroding the trust essential for long-term partnerships. Breaches can also trigger regulatory penalties under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Food and Drug Administration cybersecurity requirements. They add another layer of financial and reputational risk for organizations already under pressure to keep patients safe.
How Cyberattacks Impact Healthcare Operations
Cyberattacks on supply chains strike at the heart of patient care. When these attacks occur, treatments are delayed, procedures are canceled and emergency risks increase significantly. Hospitals rely on seamless access to supplies and digital systems to keep operations steady. However, cyber incidents force IT and procurement teams to shift their attention from patient-focused tasks to urgent crisis management.
A widespread workforce gap magnifies this challenge. In fact, 80% of companies report struggling to find and retain supply-chain-focused employees, leaving organizations with fewer skilled hands to respond when disruptions hit.
The operational fallout doesn’t stop there. Cyberattacks on suppliers’ digital systems can grind essential functions like scheduling, billing and inventory tracking to a halt, which strains staff and limits hospitals’ ability to deliver timely care. Financial consequences quickly pile up as well, with providers facing higher insurance claims, mounting legal expenses and significant recovery costs after each incident.
According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.4 million in 2025, underscoring how expensive these disruptions have become for organizations already balancing tight budgets and rising demands. For providers, protecting the supply chain is as critical as protecting the network.
Building Resilience in Healthcare Supply Chains
Building resilience requires proactive strategies that protect operations and strengthen trust with partners. The following best practices can help organizations prepare for disruptions and respond quickly to threats.
- Prioritize vendor risk management: Evaluate suppliers’ cybersecurity maturity before forming partnerships to ensure they meet compliance and security standards.
- Adopt zero-trust strategies: Limit access privileges across internal teams and external vendors to reduce the chance of attackers moving freely through networks.
- Diversify critical sourcing: Avoid depending on a single supplier for essential drugs, equipment or digital tools to minimize vulnerabilities.
- Conduct regular penetration testing and audits: Identify weaknesses in systems and vendor connections before attackers exploit them.
- Develop incident response playbooks: Establish clear protocols for containment and recovery to minimize downtime and operational disruption.
Strengthening Resilience in Healthcare Supply Chains
Resilience depends on proactive planning, stronger vendor oversight and a thoughtful balance between cybersecurity and operational efficiency. Hospital leaders and providers must treat cybersecurity as a core element of their supply chain strategy to protect operations and patient care.