Imprivata 2025 Predictions: Preparing the Critical Workforce for Cybersecurity Challenges in 2025

Cyberattacks targeting organizations like American Water and Change Healthcare have posed significant challenges to our critical infrastructure and healthcare sectors this year. In fact, attacks on U.S. utilities surged by 70%, disrupting essential services and operations. While these incidents have caused considerable damage, they also offer key lessons we must learn from to better prepare for the future. As we look ahead to 2025, here are some critical takeaways to strengthen our defenses and prevent similar attacks in the year to come.

Identity security challenges in healthcare will make way for a passwordless future. A new GAO report revealed that the Department of Health and Human Services has faced challenges mitigating cybersecurity risks in the healthcare sector. One of the biggest struggles has been identity security, largely attributed to hospitals balancing large workforces, contractors, billing systems, strict compliance and privacy regulations, and the need for quick, always-on access to patient data across multiple shared devices. While healthcare remains a top target for breaches, next year I anticipate an acceleration in the shift toward passwordless, whether it is adopting passwordless technology or preparing to adopt it, authentication across the healthcare industry. Passwordless authentication is an important step along the path to enhanced security and workflow efficiency, moving organizations from password-based access to fully passwordless workflows over time. For example, masking passwords from users significantly reduces cyber risks and improves clinical workflows today, getting rid of the password entirely only improves that benefit. By adopting passwordless authentication tailored to diverse healthcare workflows, organizations can protect sensitive data, boost operational efficiency, and enhance patient care.

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