Islamabad: The increasing reliance on telemedicine is exposing healthcare systems and patients to heightened cybersecurity threats, according to Kaspersky, which warned that sensitive medical data is becoming a key target for cybercriminals.
Marking World Health Day, the cybersecurity firm said the shift toward digital healthcare has outpaced the development of robust security protections, leaving platforms vulnerable to breaches, scams, and operational disruptions.
High-value data driving cyberattacks
Medical information is considered highly valuable due to its detailed personal and financial components. Kaspersky noted that this makes healthcare platforms an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit or sell such data.
Recent incidents reflect the scale of the issue. In 2023, telehealth provider Cerebral disclosed that it had shared patient data with third parties, including advertising networks. More recent breaches in 2025 affected both the ManageMyHealth portal and SimonMed Imaging, exposing large volumes of patient records and disrupting services.
Scammers exploiting trust in healthcare
Kaspersky also highlighted the growing sophistication of scams built around healthcare services. Fake telemedicine websites are being used to collect personal and medical information under the guise of consultations or follow-up care.
These platforms often rely on urgency and trust, prompting users to submit sensitive data that can later be misused or sold. In some cases, attackers use the collected information for targeted fraud or extortion.
Need for stronger safeguards
The firm emphasized the importance of improving both platform security and user awareness. Patients are advised to use verified healthcare services, avoid links from unknown sources, and understand how their data is handled.
As telemedicine continues to expand, Kaspersky said integrating privacy and security into digital healthcare systems will be essential to protect users and maintain trust in online medical services.
