The numbers are in, and they paint a troubling picture for the healthcare industry.
According to recent reports, a staggering 180 healthcare organizations suffered data breaches in 2024, compromising over 114,000 sensitive healthcare records. These aren’t just statistics—they represent real patients, real trust lost, and real costs incurred.
Microsoft 365 Leads in Breaches
Among the most alarming takeaways from these reports is the role of common email platforms in these breaches:
- 43% of all breaches involved Microsoft 365
- 13% involved Proofpoint
- 7% each were attributed to Barracuda and Mimecast
Clearly, relying on popular platforms alone is not enough. Without proper configuration and layered protection, even the most trusted tools can leave dangerous gaps.
Why Are These Breaches Happening?
The root cause isn’t always the tools themselves—it’s often how they’re configured (or not configured at all):
- Most organizations that experienced breaches failed to implement MTA-STS, a standard that helps secure email in transit.
- Over 30% of businesses using Microsoft 365 didn’t have any DMARC record in place.
- Another third had DMARC in “monitor-only” mode, which doesn’t actively protect from spoofing.
- 12% lacked an SPF record, which helps verify email senders.
- 40% had weak or incomplete email security configurations.
And it’s not just about misconfigurations—ransomware attacks in healthcare jumped by 264%. These attacks aren’t just more frequent—they’re more expensive, too.
The Cost of Complacency
IBM reports the average cost of a healthcare email breach is a staggering $9.8 million. And that’s before factoring in HIPAA fines, which surpassed $9 million last year alone. That kind of financial hit can be catastrophic for any organization.
Even when organizations invest in advanced email security solutions, without proper implementation, they’re still exposed to threats. Think of it like buying a top-of-the-line lock but never turning the key.
The Main Attack Vectors
Hackers are getting more sophisticated. The top methods used to breach healthcare email systems include:
- Phishing
- Spoofing and impersonation
- Credential theft
- Malware and ransomware
- Insider fraud
These threats are evolving—and fast.
What’s Next for Healthcare Email Security?
Looking forward, we can expect:
- More targeted attacks on Microsoft 365 and other cloud-based email platforms
- The adoption of AI by cybercriminals, enabling smarter, more convincing phishing attempts
- Tighter regulatory standards around email security for healthcare providers
How to Protect Your Organization
It’s time for proactive protection. SecurityGateway for Email offers a comprehensive approach to secure communications. Here’s how to tighten your defenses:
✅ Set up SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
✅ Use DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
✅ Implement DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
✅ Enforce MTA-STS (Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security)
✅ Encrypt traffic with SSL/TLS
✅ Use DLP (Data Loss Prevention) to prevent sensitive data from leaking
✅ Enable the Secure Messaging Portal
✅ Require SMTP authentication for sending mail
✅ Enforce Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all users
SecurityGateway can protect virtually any hosted or on-premise email server from spam, phishing, ransomware, data leaks, and more. It also includes archiving and compliance features, including legal hold & retention policies. Click here to download your free trial.
The Bottom Line
Healthcare data is a prime target, and email is the front door. Now more than ever, it's critical to ensure that door is locked, reinforced, and monitored.
Don’t wait for a breach to take email security seriously. Start today—because prevention is far less costly than the aftermath.
