Cybersecurity in Telehealth: Best Practices for Secure Medical Consultations
Introduction
Telehealth has moved from niche service to mainstream health‑care delivery in just a few years. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, telehealth claims to private insurers skyrocketed 4 347% from 2019 to 2020 and analysts predict telehealth use will grow sevenfold by 2025healthsectorcouncil.org. This rapid adoption has allowed people to access care conveniently and safely but has also exposed sensitive health information to unprecedented cybersecurity risks. According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach fell to US$ 4.44 million, yet health care breaches remain the most expensive. The U.S. average cost of a healthcare breach was US$ 7.42 million in 2025 and detection times were longest in health care—279 days on averagehipaajournal.com. Phishing remains the top initial access vector, causing 16 % of breaches. With telehealth systems processing protected health information (PHI) across video platforms, smartphones and smart home devices, robust cybersecurity measures are essential.
This article delves into the unique threats facing telehealth, reviews key regulations and standards, and provides step‑by‑step best practices for safeguarding virtual consultations. Whether you’re a clinician, health administrator or technology leader, you’ll learn how to design secure telehealth workflows that protect patient privacy and build lasting trust. We also link to related resources on Fredash Education Hub for deeper exploration of telehealth, security and digital health innovation.
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Telehealth Growth and the Rising Cybersecurity Stakes
Telehealth’s meteoric rise is transforming health care delivery. The Health Industry Cybersecurity – Securing Telehealth and Telemedicine (HIC‑STAT) report notes telehealth claims grew 4 347 % between 2019 and 2020, and telehealth usage is projected to increase sevenfold by 2025healthsectorcouncil.org. Patients appreciate the convenience of remote care, and providers see benefits such as lower no‑show rates and broader reach. However, rapid adoption also expands the attack surface. Telehealth platforms combine video conferencing, electronic health records (EHRs), mobile devices and Internet‑of‑Medical‑Things (IoMT) devices. Each element introduces potential vulnerabilities that can compromise patient privacy and clinical workflows.
The consequences of cyber incidents are severe. IBM’s data breach report shows that health care breaches cost more than any other sector—US$ 7.42 million on averagehipaajournal.com. The global average cost of a breach is US$ 4.44 million, but U.S. breaches average US$ 10.22 million and increased 9.2 % from 2024hipaajournal.com. Healthcare breaches also take the longest to detect and contain (279 days), giving attackers more time to exfiltrate data. Phishing remains the number one initial access vector (16 % of breaches), but other attacks such as ransomware, SQL injection, cross‑site scripting (XSS), session hijacking and denial‑of‑service (DDoS) have plagued telehealth providers. Between 2009 and 2022, more than 342 million patient records were compromisedaha.org.
Given these statistics, cybersecurity is not optional. It’s a fundamental requirement for safe telehealth. In addition to HIPAA, numerous guidance documents and standards—such as NIST’s Telehealth Security & Privacy Tips, the HHS Telehealth Privacy and Security Strategy, and the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP)—provide frameworks for secure virtual care. The next sections explore common threats and regulatory requirements before outlining best practices to mitigate risk.
Threat Landscape: Understanding the Risks in Telehealth
Telehealth platforms are attractive targets for attackers because they carry high‑value data. Understanding the threat landscape is the first step in building a secure system.
1. Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing remains the most common initial vector for breaches. Attackers craft deceptive emails, texts or social media messages impersonating healthcare institutions or telehealth platforms. By tricking staff or patients into divulging credentials or clicking malicious links, attackers gain access to EHRs and video platforms. The HIPAA Journal reports that phishing accounted for 16 % of healthcare breaches in 2025hipaajournal.com. Social engineering techniques exploit trust and are difficult to detect, underscoring the need for continuous staff training and vigilant patient education.
2. Ransomware and Malware
Ransomware attacks encrypt systems and demand payment for decryption keys. Healthcare has become a prime target because downtime can jeopardize patient care. Malware also can exfiltrate PHI or disrupt telehealth sessions. Attackers may exploit outdated software or unpatched devices to install ransomware. Recent headlines show hospitals shutting down operations for days, leading to canceled appointments and potentially life‑threatening delays.
3. Application Vulnerabilities
Telehealth platforms often rely on web and mobile apps that may contain vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS or authentication flaws. The HHS HC3 analyst note highlights that telehealth portals are susceptible to SQL injection, cross‑site scripting and session hijacking, allowing attackers to modify or steal dataaha.org. Poorly configured video platforms might allow unauthorized access or session takeovers. Regular penetration testing and secure coding practices are essential to mitigate these threats.
4. Insider Threats
Not all threats come from outside; malicious or careless insiders can leak information or misuse telehealth systems. Employees might record sessions, share access credentials or install unauthorized software. Without strong identity and access management, telehealth services remain vulnerable to insider misuse. Least‑privilege access controls, strict authentication and audit trails help limit risk.
5. Internet‑of‑Medical‑Things (IoMT) Devices
Smart devices—blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors, pulse oximeters and other wearable or home sensors—transmit data to telehealth platforms. These devices often have limited processing power and security features, making them vulnerable to hacking. Attackers can intercept sensor data, spoof readings or use devices as entry points into networks. Securing IoMT endpoints requires encryption, regular patching and network segmentation.
6. Distributed Denial‑of‑Service (DDoS) Attacks
DDoS attacks overwhelm telehealth platforms with traffic, causing service outages. For critical telehealth services, downtime can delay diagnoses and treatments. Attackers may target telehealth providers to extort ransom or disrupt operations. Resilient network architectures and partnerships with DDoS mitigation services are vital to ensure uptime.
7. Privacy and Data Sharing Risks
Telehealth expands the number of systems and partners involved in care delivery, including cloud providers, video vendors, AI analytics companies and insurers. Each third‑party integration introduces new privacy risks. Poorly configured data sharing may inadvertently expose PHI or violate patient consent. Transparent data‑use policies and strong vendor contracts are therefore crucial.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Compliance provides a baseline for cybersecurity and helps organizations avoid penalties. Key frameworks include:
HIPAA and HITECH (United States)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for PHI privacy and security. Its Security Rule requires administrative, physical and technical safeguards, including risk analysis, access controls, audit logs and encryption. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act expands HIPAA enforcement and sets breach notification requirements. Telehealth providers must ensure platforms are HIPAA‑compliant and that vendors sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs).
GDPR and International Regulations
For organizations operating in or serving patients in the EU, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates strict data protection measures. GDPR grants individuals rights over their data, requires lawful bases for processing and demands data minimization and security by design. Telehealth services must comply with GDPR’s cross‑border data transfer rules and ensure transparency in data processing.
NIST Guidance and HICP
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publishes numerous security guidelines. The Telehealth Security and Privacy Tips document advises providers to share privacy practices with patients, use HIPAA‑compliant apps, enable encryption and privacy modes, limit mobile device access, use multifactor authentication, keep systems patched and hold sessions in private spacesnccoe.nist.gov. The Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP), developed by the HHS 405(d) task group, outlines 10 cybersecurity practices such as email security, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, incident response and network segmentation. HIC‑STAT emphasises board governance, 24/7 security operations and threat intelligence sharinghealthsectorcouncil.org.
Telehealth‑Specific Strategies
The Telehealth.HHS.gov guide recommends conducting a comprehensive risk analysis that examines policies, technical controls and staff training; obtaining informed consent; using encrypted, password‑protected platforms; verifying patient identity; holding sessions in private rooms; avoiding recording and obtaining patient feedback after sessionstelehealth.hhs.gov. Adhering to these guidelines helps telehealth programs meet HIPAA, state privacy laws and professional ethical obligations.
Step‑by‑Step Best Practices for Secure Telehealth
Securing telehealth requires a holistic approach that integrates people, processes and technology. The following steps combine guidance from NISTnccoe.nist.gov, the HHS Telehealth guidetelehealth.hhs.gov, HIC‑STAThealthsectorcouncil.org and the HC3 analyst noteaha.org to create a robust security program.
Step 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Analysis
Begin by assessing your telehealth program’s risks. Examine your organization’s policies, processes, technology infrastructure and workforce readiness. Identify sensitive data flows, potential vulnerabilities, and regulatory requirements. A risk analysis should cover technical security (e.g., encryption, firewalls, patch management), administrative safeguards (e.g., access controls, monitoring, vendor management) and workforce training. Document findings and prioritize remediation based on impact and likelihood. Incorporate risk analysis into an ongoing security management process.
Step 2: Develop Policies and Obtain Informed Consent
Create telehealth‑specific privacy and security policies that align with your risk analysis. Policies should outline authorized use of telehealth platforms, device requirements, identity verification procedures, and protocols for handling PHI. Obtain informed consent from patients before telehealth sessions, detailing the technology used, potential risks, and privacy measures. Maintain documentation of consent as part of the health record. Inform patients about their rights under HIPAA or GDPR and provide guidance on their responsibilities (e.g., using secure networks).
Step 3: Choose Secure Telehealth Platforms
Use HIPAA‑compliant platforms that offer end‑to‑end encryption and robust access controls. NIST recommends using only one or a few telehealth apps and limiting the number of devices that can access PHInccoe.nist.gov. Evaluate platforms based on encryption standards (e.g., AES‑256), data localization options, audit logging and ability to sign BAAs. Ensure the software vendor regularly patches vulnerabilities. Consider using platforms certified by reputable auditors or HITRUST.
Step 4: Harden Your Network and Devices
Implement multiple layers of defense (defense in depth). Enforce least‑privilege access and segment networks to isolate telehealth systems from other IT resources. Enable multifactor authentication for all users, including patients where feasible. Use secure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to connect remote staff to on‑premise resources. Disable unused services and open ports on telehealth devices. Keep operating systems, applications and firmware up to date. The HC3 note recommends using zero‑trust architecture and regularly updating and patching devicesaha.org. For IoMT devices, ensure encryption at rest and in transit and regularly update device firmware.
Step 5: Authenticate and Verify Users
Telehealth sessions should begin with identity verification. Ask patients to present government‑issued ID and confirm location, as recommended by HHStelehealth.hhs.gov. For staff, enforce strong passwords and MFA. Utilize role‑based access controls to restrict users to only the data they need. Implement session timeouts and automatic logoff when idle. Audit logs should record who accessed what data and when.
Step 6: Protect the Session Environment
Conduct sessions in a private, quiet room free from interruptions. Use headsets to minimize eavesdropping, limit the number of participants and mute devices when not speaking. NIST advises turning on privacy modes and enabling encryption on video platformsnccoe.nist.gov. Avoid recording sessions unless clinically necessary and permitted by policy; if recording, store files securely using encryption and access controls.
Step 7: Educate Patients and Staff
Continuous education is critical. Train staff to recognize phishing and social engineering attempts, handle sensitive data responsibly and report suspicious activity. Provide periodic simulations of phishing to test awareness. The HIC‑STAT document emphasizes regular employee training to identify and report threats, including spear phishing simulationshealthsectorcouncil.org. Educate patients about privacy best practices: use a private space, secure Wi‑Fi, updated devices and caution around unsolicited messages. Provide them with a simple checklist before and after the visit. Encourage patients to ask questions about platform security and to report unusual occurrences.
Step 8: Monitor, Detect and Respond
Maintain a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) or partner with managed security service providers. Use intrusion detection systems, security information and event management (SIEM) platforms and threat‑intelligence feeds. Continuous monitoring helps detect suspicious activity quickly. Participate in threat intelligence sharing communities to stay informed about emerging threatshealthsectorcouncil.org. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. Develop and test an incident response plan that defines roles, communication processes, containment procedures and post‑incident analysis.
Step 9: Secure Post‑Session Communications and Data Storage
After the session, avoid storing notes or PHI on personal devices. Use secure messaging or patient portals for follow‑up communications. The HC3 note advises logging out after each session, locking or encrypting devices and shredding or securely disposing of any physical notesaha.org. Encrypt data at rest in databases and storage systems. Ensure backup systems are protected and tested regularly. Implement retention policies consistent with regulatory requirements and keep data only as long as necessary.
Step 10: Review and Evolve Your Program
Cybersecurity is not one‑and‑done. Regularly review and update security policies, incident response plans and vendor agreements. Evaluate emerging technologies such as AI‑driven security tools that can automatically detect anomalies or suspicious patterns. HIC‑STAT notes that AI in telehealth will require vetting third‑party AI providers for security practiceshealthsectorcouncil.org. As new threats and regulations emerge, adapt quickly and allocate resources accordingly. Seek external audits and certifications to validate your program’s effectiveness.
Real‑World Examples: Lessons from the Field
Remote Patient Monitoring and Smart Home Devices
Hospital‑at‑Home (HaH) programs allow patients to receive acute care at home. However, connecting medical devices to home networks introduces cybersecurity challenges. The NIST Cybersecurity Practice Guide 34 notes that HaH brings healthcare into uncontrolled environments, increasing risks from smart home devices and requiring controls like authentication, network segmentation, continuous monitoring and governancecsrc.nist.gov. Organizations adopting HaH must ensure remote monitoring systems are properly encrypted, devices are patched, and clinicians have secure dashboards to review data.
Telehealth Vendors and Third‑Party Risk
Many providers use third‑party telehealth platforms. In some cases, vulnerabilities in vendor software have exposed thousands of patients. For example, the HC3 analyst note recounts incidents where telehealth portals were compromised via SQL injection and cross‑site scriptingaha.org. When selecting vendors, perform due diligence: demand evidence of security certifications, review penetration testing results, and ensure the vendor has a robust incident response plan. Include cybersecurity requirements and breach notification clauses in contracts.
Phishing Attacks on Clinics
In 2023, a small clinic offering virtual visits fell victim to a phishing attack. Staff received an email appearing to come from the telehealth platform, urging them to reset their password. An employee clicked the link and entered credentials into a fraudulent site, giving attackers access to the clinic’s telehealth sessions. The clinic discovered the breach only after patients reported strange account activity. An investigation revealed that several sessions had been recorded without consent and some PHI was stolen. Following the incident, the clinic implemented MFA, enhanced staff training and engaged a managed security provider. This case underscores the importance of phishing awareness, strong authentication and continuous monitoring.
Future Trends and Emerging Challenges
AI and Machine‑Learning Security
Artificial intelligence is enhancing telehealth, from symptom checkers to predictive analytics. However, AI introduces new risks. Attackers can poison training data, exploit model vulnerabilities or use generative AI to craft more convincing phishing messages. HIC‑STAT warns that providers must vet AI solutions for security and privacy and implement robust authentication for AI‑driven toolshealthsectorcouncil.org. Research into AI model explainability and secure federated learning will help mitigate risks while preserving patient privacy.
Consumerization and BYOD
Telehealth is increasingly accessed via personal devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. The HC3 analyst note highlights that consumer devices may lack proper security controlsaha.org. With the rise of “bring your own device” (BYOD) in healthcare, organizations must enforce minimum security standards, mobile device management, remote wipe capabilities and clear policies for personal device use.
Quantum and Post‑Quantum Encryption
While still emerging, quantum computing poses a future threat to encryption schemes used today. Health care organizations should track developments in post‑quantum cryptography and consider hybrid solutions that protect PHI against potential quantum attacks. The healthcare industry is already exploring NIST’s post‑quantum algorithms for sensitive data.
Cross‑Border Data Governance
Telehealth often crosses state or national boundaries. Different jurisdictions have varying privacy laws (HIPAA, GDPR, PIPEDA, etc.), making compliance complex. Providers must implement data localization strategies, consent management, and transparent data‑use policies. Emerging standards like TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement) in the U.S. aim to create a nationwide “network of networks” for secure health information exchangeehealthtechnologies.com. Keeping pace with evolving regulations is critical for continued telehealth expansion.
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Conclusion
Telehealth is transforming medicine, offering convenient, accessible care to millions of patients. But without robust cybersecurity, its benefits can be undermined by data breaches, ransomware and privacy violations. Telehealth providers must commit to continuous risk management, regulatory compliance and adoption of best practices. By understanding the threat landscape and implementing the step‑by‑step safeguards outlined here—including comprehensive risk analysis, secure platforms, encryption, identity verification, user education, monitoring and incident response—organizations can confidently provide virtual care while protecting patient trust and complying with legal obligations. Security is a journey, not a destination; as technology evolves, so too must our defenses.
Looking to learn more about telehealth technologies and security innovations? Explore our related articles on the Fredash Education Hub, such as New Telehealth Technology: Innovations Shaping 21st‑Century Healthcare, Data Security Innovations in Healthcare and Security Trends in Healthcare Technology.
FAQ
What makes telehealth different from traditional healthcare when it comes to cybersecurity?
Telehealth expands the attack surface by relying on distributed tech—video platforms, mobile devices, cloud services, and IoMT. Protected health information (PHI) moves over the public internet and across jurisdictions, raising exposure to phishing, ransomware, app flaws, and insider threats. Home devices and networks are typically less secure than hospital systems. To bridge the gap, use encrypted platforms, strong identity verification, device hardening, and continuous monitoring.
How can healthcare organizations ensure they choose a secure telehealth platform?
Assess vendors for HIPAA/GDPR alignment, strong encryption (in transit/at rest), audit logging, vulnerability management, and third-party certifications. Prefer vendors that sign BAAs and support MFA, role-based access, and frequent security updates. Review independent pen-test results and audit reports, limit the number of telehealth apps in use, and address cross-border transfers and breach notifications in contracts with legal counsel.
What should patients do to protect their data during telehealth visits?
Use a password-protected home network (avoid public Wi-Fi), keep devices/apps updated, and take calls in a private space. Only use apps recommended by your provider; never share credentials or click unknown links. Ask about platform security, consent, and data use. Log out after sessions and watch for phishing in follow-ups. (See the HHS telehealth guide for patient privacy tips: telehealth.hhs.gov
Does telehealth reduce or increase the risk of data breaches?
Both are possible. Telehealth can remove risks tied to paper and in-person workflows, but it introduces new digital risks (remote access, multiple endpoints, third parties). With strong encryption, identity proofing, risk management, and continuous monitoring, telehealth can be delivered safely. The HIC-STAT report urges cybersecurity as a bedrock of telehealth programshealthsectorcouncil.org.
What role does employee training play in telehealth security?
Human error is often the weakest link. Ongoing training helps staff spot phishing, follow secure workflows, and use telehealth tools correctly. Include spear-phishing simulations, incident reporting, and role-specific guidance for clinicians, support, and IT. Update content as threats evolve (HIC-STAT: healthsectorcouncil.org.
How will future technologies like AI and quantum computing affect telehealth security?
AI can improve security by automating threat detection and identifying anomalies, but it also creates new attack vectors such as model poisoning and generative AI–powered phishing. Providers should vet AI tools and ensure they follow secure design principleshealthsectorcouncil.org. Quantum computing threatens to break current encryption schemes; therefore, healthcare organizations should monitor developments in post‑quantum cryptography and plan to migrate to quantum‑resistant algorithms when they become standardized. Staying informed about emerging threats ensures telehealth remains resilient.
Author: Wiredu Fred – Wiredu Fred is a technology writer, cybersecurity enthusiast and founder of Fredash Education Hub. He specializes in demystifying complex health technology topics for students and professionals, ensuring they adopt best practices to protect data and improve patient care.
