Healthcare Cybersecurity in 2026: Identity-Centric Security Takes Center Stage

In a recent Healthcare IT Today feature on 2026 health IT predictions, rf IDEAS President David Cottingham emphasized the growing importance of identity-centric security in healthcare. As cyberattacks on hospitals and clinics continue to escalate, Cottingham predicts that organizations will move beyond perimeter defenses and adopt stronger authentication measures to protect patient data and critical systems.

He highlights how identity-based access control—leveraging secure credentials, multi-factor authentication, and modern technologies like FIDO passkeys—will become essential for mitigating risks in an increasingly digital healthcare environment. Cottingham also notes that regulatory pressures and patient safety concerns will accelerate this shift, making credential modernization a top priority for IT leaders. Read his full prediction as well as others by clicking the button below.

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