HEALTHCARE PENETRATION TESTING
Protect patient data and secure healthcare operations with accredited penetration testing.
Trusted by leading organisations
Why healthcare penetration testing is important
Safeguarding patient data
and critical systems
Healthcare cyber security is not just a technical problem, it’s a matter of patient safety, trust, and regulatory compliance. Healthcare organisations handle vast amounts of sensitive patient data, including medical information, making them prime targets for cyber attacks. A breach can compromise patient confidentiality, disrupt critical medical services, and even put lives at risk.
With the rise of connected medical devices (“medtech”) and electronic health records, the industry faces an ever increasing attack surface. According to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), healthcare was the most common sector for data security incidents in Q1 2025, accounting for 19% of the total reported incidents. Strong cyber security measures ensure patient safety, protect institutional reputation, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Healthcare penetration testing
starts with Sentrium
Connect with our team of specialists to build confidence and trust in your brand, and protect your business from security breaches.
Why healthcare penetration testing is a necessity
Meeting compliance standards
and mitigating real threats
Healthcare organisations process vast quantities of sensitive information, which makes them a prime target for cyber attacks. This data is typically processed through common systems and protocols, such as HL7 and FHIR APIs, and shared across many providers and networks. Integrations with untested or poorly configured systems and devices are common due to a lack of funding, introducing vulnerabilities which may put sensitive data and patient safety at risk.
Many healthcare organisations’ premises are open to the general public, for example clinics, hospitals and pharmacies. These locations may have devices, such as tablets and computer systems, building control systems (such as alarm systems, door access controls and CCTV), ethernet and Wi-Fi networks for use by staff and patients.
Rigorously testing all of these applications, networks and systems is important to reduce the likelihood of a successful cyber attack against the organisation, and to ensure controls are in place which isolate important systems and data from attackers in the event of a breach.
Healthcare cyber security challenges
Legacy systems, ransomware,
and data exposure risks
Life critical systems
Healthcare services relies on uninterrupted access to digital systems, for example Electronic Health Records (EHR), imaging platforms, dispensing systems, and patient monitoring tools. Any disruption could risk patient safety or delay critical interventions. As such, healthcare penetration testing must be carefully executed to avoid interference with live systems.
Sector complexity and decentralisation
The healthcare ecosystem is complex and includes NHS trusts, private providers, specialist clinics, research institutions, and a vast technology, infrastructure and products supply chain. These entities often operate in silos, making healthcare cyber security coordination and oversight difficult. A tailored, methodical approach to penetration testing ensures the right systems are tested in an appropriate context with clear communication across teams.
Target rich environment
Cyber criminals increasingly target healthcare due to its rich stores of Personal Health Information (PHI), limited cyber security resources and reliance on digital infrastructure. Threats include ransomware, phishing attacks, and the abuse of legacy systems. Healthcare penetration testing can identify weaknesses and simulate real-world threats to validate your defences.
Legacy and constrained systems
Many healthcare systems run on legacy platforms or constrained hardware that cannot be easily updated without service disruption. These systems may lack modern security controls but continue to play vital roles in clinical workflows, such as diagnostics and communications between practitioners. Testing must be performed with precision to minimise risk while ensuring vulnerabilities are uncovered and managed.
Our healthcare penetration testing services
CREST-approved
penetration testing services
Explore the core services we provide
for healthcare organisations:
Website penetration testing
Custom healthcare apps, patient portals, and operations software like scheduling tools demand thorough testing. We apply OWASP methods, professional tools, and years of expertise to assure your applications.
Cloud penetration testing
Healthcare orgs combine on-prem hardware with cloud solutions. As systems go hybrid, compliance and secure configuration are vital. We assess cloud to best practicees to protect patient data and uptime.
Network penetration testing
We assess healthcare IT, from critical medical systems to third-party links and communications, to find vulnerabilities and prioritise fixes, whilst minimising disruption to clinical operations and patient care.
Why choose Sentrium for
healthcare penetration testing?
Sector-specific insight,
trusted by regulated industries
At Sentrium, we understand the regulatory demands and life-critical importance of the healthcare industry. We combine expert healthcare penetration testing with actionable recommendations to help spot risks before they impact patients. Our cyber specialists understand your environment, the technologies that underpin clinical care, and the specific threats your sector faces.
Whether you’re a large NHS trust or a growing digital health provider, our team offers the skills and discretion required to carry out safe, effective, and regulation-aware penetration testing.