Why is penetration testing important for cybersecurity?

Key Takeaways:
  • Healthcare breaches hit a record high in 2024, exposing over 186 million patient records.
  • Penetration testing reveals hidden vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
  • Failing to test can lead to costly downtime and damage your reputation with patients and partners.

In 2024, healthcare organizations across the U.S. reported over 720 data breaches, compromising more than 186 million patient records—the highest number of incidents on record, according to SecurityWeek. And while most headlines focus on hospitals and insurance giants, the truth is smaller clinics, specialty practices and health systems are just as vulnerable.

Yet, many healthcare providers still rely on a patchwork of outdated software, legacy hardware and basic firewalls—leaving them open to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. A robust cybersecurity program is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a clinical necessity. And one of the most critical (and often overlooked) tools in that program is penetration testing.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing—often called a “pen test”—is a simulated cyberattack conducted by ethical hackers to find vulnerabilities in your network, systems and applications. It mimics the tactics real cybercriminals use, giving you a clear picture of where you’re exposed.

Think of it like an X-ray for your IT infrastructure. It helps you see what a basic scan might miss—and catch threats before they become crises.

Why Healthcare is One of the Most Targeted Industries

Healthcare data is especially attractive to cybercriminals. Unlike credit card data, which can be quickly deactivated, a full patient record—including names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, insurance details and medical histories—can fetch up to $1,000 per record on the dark web, according to Experian.

But it’s not just about the value of the data. It’s also about the system vulnerabilities:

  • Many healthcare organizations use legacy systems that lack modern security features.
  • Staff often lack cybersecurity training, making them more susceptible to phishing.
  • Budget constraints push IT decisions to the back burner, delaying necessary upgrades.

And the results are staggering. In IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, healthcare topped the list for the 14th year in a row, with the average breach costing $9.77 million—far exceeding any other industry.

The Cost of Not Testing

You wouldn’t launch a new treatment without clinical trials. So why operate a healthcare business without testing your cybersecurity defenses? When you skip penetration testing, you risk:

  • Undetected vulnerabilities – Outdated systems, unused admin accounts or unpatched software often go unnoticed until a breach occurs.
  • Regulatory non-compliance – HIPAA requires covered entities to assess their security risks. Failing to do so can lead to audits, fines and legal action.
  • Operational downtime – Ransomware attacks can grind patient care to a halt, delay treatments and erode trust.
  • Reputation damage – News travels fast. Patients may think twice before returning if they hear your practice had a data breach.

The Benefits of Regular Penetration Testing

Penetration testing isn’t just about compliance. It’s about proactive protection. Here’s what you gain:

  • Clear Risk Visibility – Pen tests simulate a real-world attack, showing you exactly how a hacker would get in—and what they could access.
  • Regulatory Readiness – Penetration testing helps fulfill HIPAA’s required security risk assessments and is increasingly encouraged by cyber insurance carriers.
  • Improved Incident Response – Your team gets to practice responding to threats in a controlled setting—sharpening protocols and reducing downtime if a real breach occurs.
  • Documentation for Insurance – Many providers see reduced premiums after implementing a structured cybersecurity program that includes annual testing.
  • Greater Patient Trust – When you can prove you’re protecting patient data with proactive measures, it boosts your credibility and reassures patients and partners alike.

Real-World Example: The Change Healthcare Breach

In early 2024, Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, suffered one of the largest ransomware attacks in U.S. healthcare history. The breach disrupted prescription processing and insurance payments nationwide, with ripple effects across hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

This incident is a clear reminder: a single point of failure can paralyze the entire system. Had key vulnerabilities been identified through routine penetration testing, the outcome might have been different.

What to Expect from a Penetration Test

A good penetration test will deliver more than a vulnerability scan. You’ll receive:

  1. A full assessment of your system’s weak points
  2. A prioritized list of remediation actions
  3. Insights into your incident response readiness
  4. Clear documentation for HIPAA and insurance compliance

At Adams Brown Technology Specialists, we offer penetration testing as both a standalone service and a core part of our managed IT programs. Our team goes beyond reporting—we partner with you to strengthen your security posture and monitor improvements over time.

Cyber threats are growing in volume and complexity. Hoping your existing tools are “good enough” is no longer a viable strategy. Whether you’re a rural health clinic or a multi-location provider, the time to test your defenses is before—not after—a breach. Contact us today to discuss your cybersecurity needs.