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.


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Cyber Supply Chain Resilience: Lessons from the Jaguar Land Rover Attack

October 6, 2025
When news broke earlier this year that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) had been forced to halt production at multiple UK plants due to a cyberattack on one of its suppliers, it sent shockwaves through the business community. The attack didn’t directly target JLR itself, but rather a critical part of its supply chain, yet the consequences were immediate, costly, and highly visible. For organisations of every size, from global manufacturers to SMEs and charities, the lesson is clear: your cyber resilience is only as strong as the weakest link in your supply chain. What Happened at Jaguar Land Rover? The disruption at JLR stemmed from an attack on a third-party supplier that produced key electronic modules used across its vehicle range. When the supplier’s systems were compromised, they were unable to deliver components on schedule. JLR had no choice but to suspend production temporarily, sending thousands of workers home and losing millions in revenue each day. Customers faced delays, dealers had shortages, and brand reputation took a hit. This incident illustrates a truth many businesses are only just recognising: a cyberattack anywhere in your extended ecosystem can hit your bottom line just as hard as an attack on your own network. Why Are Supply Chain Attacks Increasing? Several factors make supply chain attacks attractive to cybercriminals: One breach, many victims: Compromising a supplier often provides access or leverage over multiple downstream organisations. Trust relationships: Businesses tend to grant suppliers higher levels of access or integration, making lateral movement easier once a breach occurs. Weaker security controls: Not every supplier has the same level of cyber maturity. Attackers deliberately target smaller or less well-resourced firms in the chain. Ransom leverage: Attackers know disruption to the supply chain can be so damaging that businesses may feel compelled to pay quickly to restore operations. Research from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) shows that supply chain compromise is now one of the fastest-growing attack vectors. The JLR case won’t be the last high-profile example. The Real Risks for UK Businesses While a global car manufacturer makes the headlines, SMEs, care homes, housing trusts and non-profits are just as vulnerable. Consider the following risks: Operational disruption – inability to deliver services or products due to supplier outage. Data leakage – if a supplier holds or processes your customer data, a breach could expose you to regulatory fines. Financial loss – downtime, remediation, and reputational damage all carry a cost. Regulatory compliance – frameworks like GDPR and the Cyber Security & Resilience Bill place responsibility on you for the security of your data, even when processed by third parties. Ignoring these risks is no longer an option. How to Build Cyber Supply Chain Resilience? So, what practical steps can organisations take? Here are some best practices Cranborne recommends to our clients: 1. Map Your Supply Chain Start by identifying all your key suppliers, contractors, and service providers. Understand what systems or data they touch and how critical they are to your operations. Many businesses are surprised at just how many third-party relationships they depend on. 2. Assess Supplier Security Not all suppliers are equal. Carry out due diligence on their cyber posture. Do they have Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 certification? Do they conduct regular penetration tests? Build these checks into your procurement process. 3. Contractual Safeguards Where possible, include security requirements in supplier contracts. Define expectations around data handling, breach notification, and compliance. Make sure there are consequences for non-compliance. 4. Continuous Monitoring Cyber risk is not a one-time exercise. Implement processes to regularly review supplier risk, update assessments, and track any incidents. Automated risk-scoring tools can help. 5. Incident Response Planning Assume that at some point, a supplier will suffer a breach. The key is to minimise impact. Have clear playbooks for how you will respond if a critical partner goes offline. Test those plans regularly. 6. Diversify Where Possible Avoid single points of failure. If one supplier provides a mission-critical service, explore whether an alternative source or backup arrangement is feasible.  7. Educate Your Team Procurement, finance, and operations teams all play a role in managing supplier risk. Make sure they understand what to look for and how to escalate concerns. Turning Risk into Opportunity Customers, investors, and regulators are all placing increasing emphasis on resilience and good governance. Demonstrating that you manage your supply chain risks effectively can strengthen your reputation, build trust, and open new opportunities. For SMEs in particular, achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification and working with partners like Cranborne can also make you more attractive to larger customers who want assurance that their downstream supply chains are protected. How Cranborne Supports Cyber Essentials At Cranborne, we guide organisations through the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification process from start to finish. Our team helps you assess your current controls, identify gaps, and implement the technical and policy measures needed to meet the standard. Final Thoughts The Jaguar Land Rover incident is a wake-up call for all UK organisations. Even the biggest brands can be brought to a standstill by an attack outside their direct control. By taking proactive steps now, from mapping suppliers to embedding cyber requirements in contracts, businesses of every size can build greater resilience and reduce their exposure. At Cranborne, we work with organisations across healthcare, financial services, retail and non-profit sectors to strengthen their cyber resilience, including supply chain risk management. If you’d like to explore how we can support your organisation, get in touch with our team today.