Nakasone: Cybersecurity for Healthcare – Government Plea
Gen. Nakasone urges healthcare to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen its cybersecurity posture. This article dives into the critical role of AI in healthcare, highlighting its potential to revolutionize diagnostics and administrative tasks. Together, it underscores the escalating cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware, that are targeting hospitals across the nation. News Directory 3 brings you insights from Nakasone’s address at the HIMSS 2025 Global Conference, exploring the need for proactive strategies to safeguard patient data and ensure operational continuity. Discover how collaboration and adaptation are key to thriving in this evolving landscape. What future healthcare innovations await?
nakasone Urges Healthcare to Embrace AI and Cybersecurity
Updated June 17, 2025
U.S. Cyber Command and former director of the National Security Agency” width=”100″ height=”100″>ORLANDO, Fla. – Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are rapidly changing healthcare,presenting both opportunities and challenges. Speaking at the HIMSS 2025 Global Conference, Gen. Paul Nakasone, former head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, stressed the importance of proactive strategies for managing AI-driven efficiencies and strengthening cyber defenses.
Nakasone warned that health systems must adapt to these changes to thrive. He highlighted the expanding role of AI in areas like drug revelation, diagnostics, and administrative tasks, but also emphasized the growing cybersecurity threats facing hospitals.
“We are at a pivotal moment,” Nakasone said. “The healthcare industry is undergoing a seismic shift, and those that adapt will thrive—those that don’t risk becoming the next BlackBerry or Kodak.”
He noted the rise in ransomware attacks targeting healthcare,now the most heavily impacted critical infrastructure sector in the U.S. In 2024, there was a 15% increase in ransomware incidents, with over 460 attacks nationwide. Smaller, rural hospitals are notably vulnerable due to limited resources. The average downtime from such attacks is 18 days, costing nearly $2 million daily, Nakasone said.
Nakasone emphasized that AI’s role is to augment, not replace, clinicians. He cited a 2022 Stanford study showing AI models achieved a 69%