As cyber threats grow in complexity, care homes have become an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals. Holding sensitive data and managing systems essential to resident wellbeing, even a minor breach can have far-reaching implications, financially, operationally, and emotionally.
A recent government-backed Cyber Security Breaches Survey (2025) revealed that 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities experienced cyberattacks in the past 12 months, and care homes are far from exempt. Here’s how to defend your systems, protect residents, and promote operational resilience.
From understanding how ransomware works to detecting phishing scams, here are some practical measures that care home managers and administrators can take to protect vulnerable residents and ensure that services continue without disruption.
Identify vulnerabilities with a digital health check
Every care home has unique digital vulnerabilities. Make sure that you carry out regular risk assessments to identify where these are located since they can and will change over time. Given the importance of these evaluations, consider investing in professional cybersecurity services for thorough assessments that are tailored to the care environment.
For example, an expert might find that your systems are now outdated, enabling cybercriminals to exploit new weaknesses. Also, your data storage might not be as secure as you thought, or Wi-Fi networks might not be sufficiently protected.
Did you know? The average care provider spent £2,575 dealing with cyber incidents over the last three years
Task List:
- Perform a full risk assessment to map out weak points.
- Consider an external cybersecurity audit, especially if you rely on third-party software.
- Pay particular attention to outdated care management platforms and unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Train staff to be cyber aware
Staff are your first line of defence. Human error is a common cause of breaches, so give all employees regular training on how to handle residents’ personal data in a compliant manner, recognise phishing emails, understand what ransomware is, and how to respond to suspicious online activity.
However, a lot of cybersecurity information is technical so don’t overwhelm your staff. Keep training sessions short and engaging so they are more likely to retain the information.
Top Tip: Create a culture where staff feel comfortable reporting suspicious emails or mistakes, without fear of reprimand.
Implement strong access controls and authentication
Not every staff member needs access to every single system or all sensitive resident data. Use role-based permissions that restrict access depending on job role and responsibilities. Cut down on unauthorised access by creating and enforcing strong password policies and require all staff to change their password on a periodic basis.
Also, requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify identity with two or more methods. For example, a one-time phone code in addition to a password.
Tip: Perform access audits and reset passwords at regular intervals, especially after staff turnover.
Regularly update and patch software
Outdated software is one of the most common cyber vulnerabilities. Make sure that all systems, including care management software and antivirus protection are constantly up to date. Vendors will be on top of the latest exploits and bugs so add any patches as soon as they are released.
Care home managers are busy, so it’s a good idea to:
- Enable automatic updates for operating systems and antivirus tools.
- Monitor supplier updates for specialist care software or IoT-connected devices.
Fact: Cybercriminals are known to exploit vulnerabilities within weeks (or even days) of public disclosure.
Develop and test incident response plans
Enterprising cybercriminals can breach even the strongest cybersecurity systems. A clear, well-tested incident response plan enables staff to act quickly and confidently. Don’t wait until a breach happens to find out whether your plan works. Hold regular drills so that everyone knows their role what to do in an emergency, this will minimise disruption and ensure that residents of the home are protected.
Task List:
- Assign roles: Who leads the response? Who contacts the ICO?
- Run drills every six months and refine your plan based on feedback.
- Document everything, this is key in case of a legal or regulatory follow-up.
Common impacts on care providers include: loss of access to files (11%), compromised accounts (9%), and corrupted systems (8%).
Monitor Devices and Back Up Data
Cyberattacks often occur outside of business hours or through unnoticed entry points like USB drives or unsecured mobile devices.
- Use endpoint detection and device management software.
- Ensure data is backed up daily, both locally and in the cloud.
- Restrict external hardware and scan all new devices connected to the network.
Leverage National Support Initiatives
The Better Security, Better Care programme and Cyber Essentials provide guidance and funding support for adult social care settings.
Many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities now offer access to:
- Free cybersecurity health checks
- NHS-provided cyber toolkits
- Sector-specific best practice guidance
Only 1 in 3 care homes currently report cybersecurity incidents, suggesting a significant risk of underreporting and lack of awareness.
Safety starts behind the screen
Cybersecurity is no longer optional in care homes. Care home managers and administrators need to see it as a key part of ensuring resident safety and operational stability. Key measures such as training, implementing strong digital security measures, and keeping software up to date will go a long way to minimising the risk of cybercriminals breaching your systems.
Quick Checklist for Care Home Cyber Readiness
| Action Area | Must-Do Steps |
|---|---|
| Risk Assessment | Conduct a digital health check annually |
| Staff Awareness | Train on phishing, ransomware, and GDPR |
| Access Control | Enable MFA and restrict access by role |
| Software Updates | Automate where possible |
| Incident Response | Create and test an action plan |
| Data Backup | Daily backups, including cloud redundancy |
| External Support | Engage with national and local schemes |
