Hospitals are the most frequently attacked by ransomware in Europe. Patient data, medical equipment and 24/7 availability make healthcare vulnerable. Every delay costs lives.
of organisations saw ransomware risk increase; healthcare remains the most frequently attacked sector in Europe
Cybersecurity in healthcare is about protecting patient data, medical equipment and the 24/7 availability of care systems. Hospitals and other care providers fall under NIS2, implemented in the Netherlands as the Cyberbeveiligingswet (Cbw), and need to comply with NEN 7510, the Dutch standard for information security in healthcare. The GDPR and the Dutch Medical Treatment Contracts Act (WGBO) also govern how medical data is handled. The main threats are ransomware on hospital networks, theft of medical records, vulnerable medical IoT devices and phishing aimed at healthcare staff. Healthcare organisations therefore mainly hire NEN 7510 specialists and CISOs for healthcare, Data Protection Officers, SOC analysts with a healthcare background and DFIR specialists who can lead the response to a ransomware attack. Speed matters even more here, because system outages directly affect patients.
Ransomware on hospital networks
Medical records theft (highest market value)
Vulnerable medical IoT devices
Phishing targeting healthcare staff (62%)
NEN 7510 specialists & CISOs for healthcare
Data Protection Officers for healthcare
SOC analysts with healthcare background
DFIR specialists for ransomware response
48u
Average time-to-shortlist
97%
Clients return
7.000+
Professionals in network
100%
Cybersecurity focus
Dutch hospitals are covered by the Cyberbeveiligingswet (Cbw), the Dutch implementation of NIS2, and by NEN 7510, the standard for information security in healthcare. The GDPR and the Medical Treatment Contracts Act (WGBO) also govern how medical data is handled. Under the Cbw, a hospital has a duty of care to manage risks to its network and information systems and a duty to report significant incidents. The board is ultimately responsible.
A hospital mainly needs a CISO or NEN 7510 specialist to own information security policy, supported by a Data Protection Officer for the GDPR. For detection and response, SOC analysts with healthcare experience and DFIR specialists for ransomware incidents are important. Because medical IoT devices are often vulnerable and healthcare staff receive a lot of phishing, network segmentation and security awareness also need attention.
MVPeople Group responds to every request within 4 hours. For interim roles a first profile often follows within 4 hours and introduction CVs within 24 hours. Candidates come from a network of more than 7,000 pre-screened cybersecurity professionals, including NEN 7510 specialists, DPOs and DFIR specialists. During an acute incident at a hospital that speed matters, because every delay affects patient care.
Interim fits acute situations, such as responding to a ransomware attack, a NEN 7510 certification project or the period after a CISO leaves. Permanent hiring fits the structural oversight of information security and privacy. Many healthcare organisations start with an interim specialist and recruit a permanent hire in parallel. Through MVPermanent you receive CVs within 72 hours, and permanent hiring typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Last updated by Mathijs Visser, Co-founder and Lead Consultant MVPeople Group.
MVPeople Group places cybersecurity professionals across all NIS2 sectors.
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Lead a growing team driving information security, quality, and privacy strategy across a major public health organisation. Shape culture, build frameworks, and connect disciplines in a dynamic healthcare environment.
