- 43% of healthcare leaders say cyber is their top business risk
- 60% lack the ability to monitor systems 24/7
- Fewer than 50% report full visibility across their digital estate
As UK healthcare organisations battle resource constraints, rising cyber threats, and evolving digital demands, new research from Wavenet highlights a concerning misalignment between what healthcare leaders need, and, subsequently, what many tech suppliers are providing.
While 43% of respondents say cyber is now their top business risk, an alarming 60% lack 24/7 monitoring capabilities. And with less than half reporting full visibility across their IT estate, critical gaps remain in threat detection, response, and resilience.
“With cyber security being at the top of the business risks, too many Trusts are left without the round the-clock monitoring and visibility they need to stay protected,” says Jonathan Lees, Healthcare Sector Director at Wavenet. “Resources are stretched, and digital demands are accelerating, meaning the sector needs urgent strategic support that aligns investment with resilience – not just technology for technology’s sake.”
Cyber risks are escalating, but the sector also has to consider clinical outcomes, patient data, and the safety of care environments. Strategic guidance, not just products, is essential.”
The survey of nearly 500 UK IT and security leaders shows that almost two thirds (65%) of organisations are under pressure this year to reduce costs, yet 38% are still prioritising new technology investment – a sign that investment continues, but only where business value can be clearly demonstrated. While these figures may point to hesitancy or confusion around digital transformation for some, it also signals an urgent need for strategic support.
Buying decisions in healthcare hinge on value, security, and stability
The research highlights three core blockers to digital investment in healthcare:
- Unclear benefits (40%)
- Impact of change on the workforce (30%)
- Data security concerns (30%).
This illustrates the challenge many suppliers face: breaking through with solutions that meet stringent security requirements, offer visible ROI, and minimise disruption to healthcare operations.
The top requirements from healthcare technology suppliers are:
- Increase protection against cybercrime (52%)
- Help make the right investment in technology (50%)
- Provide responsive and reliable support (50%).
“The data shows healthcare buyers aren’t just looking for tools anymore, they’re craving long-term, strategic partners,” continues Jonathon. “The top supplier attribute? Responsive and reliable support (31%), followed by subject matter expertise and solutions tailored to healthcare (23%).”
The need for guidance is growing
Despite financial pressure, investment remains strong in areas critical to healthcare delivery, including Connectivity (43%) and Cybersecurity (39%). These priorities align with the shift toward hybrid care environments, digital patient records, and NHS cyber compliance. But healthcare IT teams often lack the bandwidth or internal expertise to integrate new technologies, protect legacy systems, or coordinate fragmented cyber tools.
“We’re seeing the most success where resellers and MSPs act as enablers, not just vendors,” says Jonathon. “There’s a clear opportunity to help healthcare customers navigate complexity, unlock cloud-readiness, and future-proof their infrastructure.”
To find out more about Wavenet, visit wavenet.co.uk.
