Cisco Identifies Top Five Actions to Safeguard Healthcare Organizations from Rising Cyber Threats

Manal Saleh

Aiming to help Saudi Arabia healthcare organizations build resilience, protect patient data, and maintain trust in the digital era

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — August 26^th, 2025 — Cisco, today, shares five priority actions every healthcare organization must take to strengthen security and maintain digital resilience across the sector. This forward-looking approach addresses the unique vulnerabilities of healthcare, while seeking to help organizations in Saudi Arabia build resilience and maintain trust in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

As a digital-first nation, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector stands out as one of the most dynamic in this shift. With hospitals and healthcare providers embracing technologies such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostics, cybersecurity has become a critical component to help safeguard data and maintain public trust.

Today, the healthcare industry is a prime target for cyberattacks globally because it holds highly valuable patient data, often relies on outdated systems, and faces common human and resource vulnerabilities that make breaches easier and more damaging. In fact, phishing remains the most common entry point for attacks, whilst weak passwords, shadow IT, and lack of awareness are pervasive issues.

Considering this, the Kingdom has set a strong benchmark for healthcare cybersecurity through a national framework led by the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), which works closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to safeguard the sector. The framework mandates key protections such as risk management, secure software development, identity and access governance, data protection, and breach reporting, reinforced by the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and the Anti-Cybercrime Law. In parallel, Saudi Vision 2030’s Healthcare Sector Transformation Program is reshaping the system by emphasizing innovation, preventive care, financial sustainability, expanded digital health, and adherence to global best practices.

Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director at Cisco Saudi Arabia says, “The Kingdom is transforming its healthcare system by expanding access to services, upgrading medical infrastructure, and encouraging greater private sector participation. Cybersecurity is critical to this progress because every piece of information in today’s digital world is valuable and must be protected. At Cisco, we are committed to raising awareness and delivering secure-by-design solutions to help organizations in Saudi Arabia strengthen their defenses, stay ahead of evolving threats, and protect what matters most in our increasingly connected world.”

Considering these realities, Cisco shares five actions for policymakers and healthcare organizations to combat the rising issue of cyber-attacks:

Cisco emphasizes that cybersecurity is not solely an IT issue, but a shared responsibility between government, regulators, healthcare providers, and technology partners. By addressing legacy vulnerabilities, building collaboration mechanisms, and embedding security culture across organizations, Saudi Arabia can continue to deliver a secure and sustainable healthcare ecosystem that safeguards sensitive patient data and ensures continuity of care in the digital era.