Cybersecurity in Care Homes: Why Protection Can't Wait

Care homes are under attack. In 2023, almost half of UK care providers were hit by cybercriminals—through phishing emails, ransomware, and data breaches

Cyber‑Security in UK Care Homes: A Critical Priority

As care homes in the UK embrace digital transformation from electronic care records to remote monitoring, the cyber threats they face are escalating. It’s no longer 'if'—it’s 'when.' And when systems fail, it affects real lives: care delivery stalls, resources stretch thin, and residents are put at risk. New CQC rules and public expectations now tie data security directly to your service rating and your reputation. A breach could cost more than fines, it could cost trust. The healthcare sector remains a highly attractive target. More than half of healthcare organisations in the UK have experienced cyber attacks, with phishing accounting for about 75–86% of incidents in social care settings . Although only around a third of care providers reported an incident over three years, this likely underplays the true risk—underreporting and limited awareness mask the real extent.


Why Cyber‑Security Issues Matter in Care Homes

  1. Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
    Cyber breaches don't just cause financial harm they risk resident welfare. If ransomware or IT failures compromise care planning systems, the consequences could be life-threatening. Even short service disruptions may delay or degrade essential care delivery.
  2. Cost Implications
    Incidents carry real costs. On average, a care provider spends about £2,575 managing a cyber incident over three years—covering staff time, IT recovery, and response measures.
  3. Regulatory and Reputational Risk
    In an era of GDPR, NIS2, and the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, compliance isn’t optional. Care homes handling personal data face substantial fines and scrutiny if breaches occur. Reputation is also on the line; trust is fragile once compromised.


Top Cyber‑Security Best Practices for Care Homes

Implementing core cyber-hygiene measures aligned with NCSC’s Cyber Essentials and Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) can significantly enhance resilience.

1. Phishing Awareness & Staff Training

With phishing accounting for 75–86% of incidents, regular training is imperative. Simulated phishing exercises, clear reporting channels, and updates on current scams help staff become your first line of defence.

2. Multi‑Factor Authentication & Strong Passwords

Enforce strong, unique passwords and introduce multi‑factor authentication (MFA) on all critical systems especially email and remote access. This is foundational to Cyber Essentials and CAF .

3. Maintain Software & Patch Management

Outdated systems with unpatched vulnerabilities are easy prey. Automate updates for all devices, servers, and third-party platforms with access to sensitive data.

4. Network Defences

Deploy both hardware and software firewalls to regulate incoming and outgoing traffic and prevent unauthorised access.

5. Data Backups and Recovery Planning

Backups are vital. Ensure critical data is stored securely off-site or in the cloud and tested regularly. Integrate cyber‑attack scenarios into your existing business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

6. Cyber‑Risk Assessments & Cyber Essentials Certification

Conduct annual cyber-risk assessments and consider seeking Cyber Essentials or even Cyber Essentials Plus certification. These frameworks guide the implementation of key security controls like access management, patching, and malware protection.

7. Incident Response Strategy

Create and rehearse a clear incident response plan. Assign roles, establish reporting lines, and include local ICS/NCSC escalation procedures. Quick decisions can reduce both safety and reputational impacts. About 40% of providers had a plan in place those with formal plans had incidents detected more quickly and resolved with less impact .

8. Third‑Party Oversight

Almost half of care incidents stem from third-party providers


TechUK’s Tips for 2025

TechUK highlights three strategic areas for health and care cyber teams:

  • Move from Strategy to Action: Build clear sub‑plans for NCSC and NHS frameworks, backed by timelines and responsibilities.
  • Use CAF Early: Embrace the Cyber Assessment Framework as a roadmap, tying it into staff training and supplier reviews.
  • Operate in a 'Constant Threat Environment': Recognise that AI-enhanced threats demand ongoing vigilance, threat intelligence, and technical defences.


Outlook: Regulation Is Evolving

The government's Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is under Parliament. Once passed, it will broaden incident reporting, include new sanctions, and raise standards across essential services, including adult social care providers.


Conclusion

Cybersecurity is no longer optional for UK care homes—it’s a legal, ethical, and operational imperative. With residents’ safety, data privacy, and service continuity at stake, care providers must prioritise cyber resilience now.

By embracing Cyber Essentials, delivering staff training, hardening systems, conducting risk assessments, and preparing for incidents, care homes can ensure digital growth supports not undermines the highest standards of care.



Commitment today will prevent crises tomorrow.  At Cranborne Technologies, we build cybersecurity solutions that work for care homes, not against them. Technology That Supports Care, Not Complicates It. We believe technology should lift pressure off your team, not add to it. Our solutions are designed to fit how you already work. Get Ahead of the Risk. Don't wait until something goes wrong. Book a FREE IT Audit and we’ll assess your systems, find the risks, and give you a practical action plan you can trust. Together, we’ll keep your residents, your staff, and your care environment safe.


Book An Appointment Contact Us

What an AI Agent Can Do for a UK Small Business

December 2, 2025
AI tools are everywhere at the moment, but for most small businesses the real question is simple: can this actually help us day to day? The answer, increasingly, is yes. AI agents are becoming a practical, affordable way for UK SMBs to lighten workloads, improve responsiveness and strengthen their cyber security without adding to headcount. Here’s what they can realistically take off your plate. Take the admin you never get time for Most small teams lose hours each week to tasks like updating spreadsheets, booking meetings, chasing invoices or sorting inbox clutter. An AI agent can handle these automatically in the background — consistently, accurately and without needing to be chased. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about giving them space to focus on the work that actually moves the business forward. Improve customer response times Customers expect fast answers, even when your team is busy or out on site. AI agents can deal with routine enquiries, provide updates, and pass more complex queries straight to the right person. You stay responsive, your team stays sane, and nothing gets forgotten in the rush. Add another layer of cyber protection Cyber threats are rising across the UK, and many of the attacks we’re seeing at Cranborne start with human error — a missed warning sign, a convincing phishing email, or an unusual login that doesn’t get spotted in time. An AI agent can monitor activity in the background and raise a flag the moment something looks suspicious. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s an extra pair of eyes when you need it most. Support sales and marketing without extra staff From following up with leads to drafting emails and analysing which campaigns actually worked, AI agents help small businesses stay consistent. They don’t replace your voice or your expertise — they simply keep the wheels turning so opportunities don’t slip through the cracks. Help you make better decisions, faster Instead of digging through systems for data, an AI agent can pull together quick reports, highlight trends and spot issues early. That means business owners get clearer visibility without spending evenings trawling through spreadsheets. The takeaway AI agents aren’t a gimmick. Used well, they become part of the team — handling the repetitive, the routine and the time-consuming. For UK SMBs under pressure to do more with less, they offer a straightforward way to improve efficiency, strengthen security and give your people their time back.

The 2026 IT Priorities UK SMBs Can’t Ignore

December 2, 2025
2026 will be a defining year for UK small and medium businesses. Technology is no longer just a background function – it shapes resilience, productivity, and competitiveness. At Cranborne Tech, we see this first-hand across care providers, financial services, retail, and non-profits. The organisations moving forward are the ones treating IT as a strategic enabler, not a cost centre. 1. Cybersecurity First: A Zero-Trust Reality Cyber threats continue to rise, and insurers now require demonstrable controls. SMBs must embed Zero Trust principles: MFA everywhere, continuous monitoring, dark web monitoring and phishing simulations as part of regular staff training. Security is now the foundation of every digital decision. 2. AI-Driven Productivity AI is now built into everyday tools like Microsoft 365. SMBs can save hours each week through automated reporting, meeting summaries, documentation support, and enhanced customer service workflows. Responsible governance and staff training must sit alongside adoption. 3. Cloud Cost Control Licensing and cloud waste became a major issue in 2024–2025. In 2026, SMBs should focus on rationalising tools, removing unused subscriptions, and right-sizing backup and cloud storage plans. A cleaner, more efficient cloud estate lowers costs and reduces complexity. 4. Modernising Infrastructure Cloud environments are now the default, although hybrid is still operational where needed. SMBs need reliable networks, standardised devices, secure remote access, and infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven workloads. Modernisation boosts stability and improves user experience. 5. Business Continuity That Works Backups alone aren’t enough. SMBs need recoverability: encrypted cloud backups, offline copies, documented disaster recovery plans, and regular testing. Insurers and partners increasingly expect evidence, not assumptions. 6. Compliance and Governance Maturity Clear policies, documented patching, supplier assurance, and ongoing training form the baseline for regulated sectors. Mature governance builds trust and removes friction during audits or contract renewals. 7. Employee Experience Through IT Smooth onboarding, consistent devices, self-service capability, and proactive support make a measurable difference to productivity. In 2026, IT is a core part of employee experience. 8. Automating Everyday Workflows SMBs can now automate HR approvals, finance tasks, customer service routing, and reporting without enterprise budgets. Small steps create meaningful efficiency gains. Book a free IT audit The businesses that will thrive in 2026 are those treating IT as a growth partner. Cranborne Tech is here to help UK SMBs build resilient, secure, and future-ready digital foundations. If you want to understand how your IT supports your business goals and identify any gaps before they become risks, book a free IT audit . We’ll review your current setup and guide you on the next steps.