When Cyber Attacks Become Patient Care Events

Cybersecurity in healthcare is no longer an IT issue—it's a patient safety issue.

In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Skip Sorrels, Field CTO and Chief Information Security Officer at Claroty, to explore how cyber threats are evolving from data breaches into full-scale clinical and operational disruptions.

With a unique background as both an ICU nurse and healthcare cybersecurity leader, Skip brings a rare perspective on what actually happens inside a hospital when systems go down. From electronic medical records shutting off to clinicians reverting to paper processes, these events don't just slow operations—they fundamentally impact patient outcomes.

We dive into the growing risks tied to connected medical devices and hospital infrastructure, including operational technologies like HVAC systems, water filtration, and building controls—areas increasingly targeted as the "path of least resistance" for attackers.

Skip also shares why healthcare organizations must begin treating cybersecurity like disaster preparedness, focusing on operational resilience, recovery planning, and real-world readiness—not just prevention.

For MedTech innovators, this episode delivers a critical message: security is no longer a feature—it's a requirement for trust, adoption, and patient safety.

If you're interested in healthcare cybersecurity, medical device security, hospital operations, digital health risk, or MedTech commercialization, this episode offers a powerful and timely perspective on one of the most important challenges facing healthcare today.