As we prepare to welcome 2025, it’s increasingly clear that the lessons learned over the past year will help shape how veterinary practices—often small-to-midsize businesses at the heart of communities—approach cybersecurity. In 2024, significant developments in artificial intelligence (AI) sparked both heightened defenses and more sophisticated attacks. Ransomware crews grew bolder, supply chain vulnerabilities rattled entire sectors, and deepfake scams rattled unsuspecting organizations. Meanwhile, new regulations around cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI ethics put added pressure on business owners across all industries, including those in the veterinary space.
So, what does 2025 hold for veterinary practices? Below are the top 10 cybersecurity trends and threats that practices should keep on their radar. From AI-driven attacks to tightening regulations, these shifts represent the most consequential changes likely to hit veterinary practices in the coming year.
1. The Rise of Intelligent Systems
The year ahead will see AI continuing to power both attackers and defenders, changing the way veterinary practices protect their networks and patients’ data.
- Offensive AI: Armed with generative AI (GenAI) technology, cybercriminals can develop polymorphic malware that “morphs” constantly to evade detection. AI can generate highly credible phishing emails, making it even easier to fool busy front-desk staff into clicking malicious links.
- Defensive AI: On the flip side, AI-powered detection and response systems will help veterinary practices quickly spot unusual network activity. Some leading cybersecurity platforms offer “AI copilots,” which automate routine security tasks and free up time for more strategic decision-making. Machine learning algorithms can analyze massive datasets—like patient management software logs or payment processing records—to uncover hidden anomalies.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: Even small practices increasingly rely on digital systems for patient records, billing, and scheduling. As AI takes center stage, choosing security vendors or managed service providers (MSPs) with robust, AI-driven protection will be a key differentiator for staying ahead of threats.
2. Rise of Deepfakes
Criminals are becoming adept at using deepfake videos and voices for financial gain and espionage. Veterinary practices may seem like small targets, but the reality is any business handling financial information—credit card payments, insurance claims—can fall victim.
Deepfake technology lets bad actors clone a trusted individual’s voice or likeness to trick employees. Imagine receiving a video message that looks and sounds like your practice’s external accountant or a pharmaceutical supplier, urgently instructing staff to wire money for “time-sensitive” bills.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: With staff often multitasking between patients and administrative tasks, it’s easy to miss subtle signs of a deepfake scam. Improving staff awareness and implementing multi-factor authentication for significant transactions can curb these risks.
3. Increased Sophistication and Volume of Attacks
The growth of AI and ransomware-as-a-service platforms will lower the barrier to entry for cybercriminals, ushering in more frequent, multi-vector assaults. Even less-experienced hackers can now launch elaborate, layered attacks that overwhelm older security tools.
Veterinary practices, particularly those without specialized IT staff, are prime targets if they rely on outdated systems or a patchwork of security products. Once inside, attackers often “lateral move” through the network, exfiltrating sensitive customer or payment data.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: A single breach can compromise the trust your practice has built with pet owners over years. Investing in modern, integrated security platforms and staff training can help reduce the risk of becoming another statistic.
4. Ransomware’s Continued Reign and Evolution
Ransomware remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes, and veterinary practices are not immune. Criminals increasingly use “double or triple extortion,” threatening to leak patient records or sensitive financial data if ransoms go unpaid. We’ve also seen cases where criminals demand separate ransoms from individual employees if they can gain direct access to personal data.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: Disruption of patient management software can grind day-to-day operations to a halt, risking patient safety, lost revenue, and reputational harm. Practices should regularly back up critical data, verify the integrity of those backups, and deploy strong endpoint security solutions.
5. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities as a Major Weakness
From cloud-based practice management systems to third-party billing solutions, veterinary practices rely on a broad network of suppliers. Supply chain attacks, in which hackers compromise a commonly used vendor’s software, are on the rise. Practices can inadvertently install malware-laden updates or APIs, providing attackers with instant access.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: Even a well-protected practice is vulnerable if its suppliers are insecure. Vet practices should proactively ask vendors about their security posture, require timely updates on software patches, and consider contract clauses that hold third-party providers accountable for cybersecurity lapses.
A Broader Scope: Policies, Regulations, and Beyond
The trends shaping 2025 won’t just involve new ways criminals target data or disrupt services. They will also include strengthened policies, compliance requirements, and best practices that aim to level up cybersecurity across various sectors, including healthcare.
Veterinary practices, as handlers of medical records and payment information, will likely see elevated scrutiny around data management, privacy, and compliance with emerging rules. Investing in compliance frameworks today—whether for AI oversight, data governance, or device security—will help practices stand on firmer ground tomorrow.
6. The Shift Toward Unified Security Platforms
As threats proliferate, the old approach of stitching together multiple-point solutions—a firewall here, antivirus there, plus a separate patch management tool—no longer cuts it. Enter unified security platforms, which integrate multiple layers of defense within a single console.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: A unified security platform offers more visibility and fewer management hassles, especially for small teams. Practices benefit from seamless policy enforcement across networks and endpoints, reducing the chance of misconfigurations and blind spots.
7. Zero Trust Architecture Expanding
“Never trust, always verify” forms the backbone of zero trust. Designed to handle remote access, cloud computing, and the omnipresence of mobile devices, zero trust enforces stringent checks—like verifying user identity, device compliance, and location—each time data is accessed.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: With a growing volume of telehealth consultations, staff working off-site, and more digital collaboration with suppliers, zero trust significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Expect to see more small-to-midsize practices adopting zero trust elements, such as micro-segmentation and continuous authentication.
8. Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny and Compliance Demands
Globally, governments are rolling out fresh regulations for data privacy, AI oversight, and overall cybersecurity. In the EU, for instance, new directives such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are ramping up obligations for businesses, including healthcare providers. In North America, privacy legislation continues to evolve at the state and federal levels.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: Even smaller practices may be subject to new regulatory frameworks if they handle medical or personal data. Failure to comply can result in fines, reputational damage, or even loss of license to operate in certain regions. Regularly reviewing legal obligations and aligning with best practices (e.g., data encryption, robust access controls, e.t.c) is essential.
9. The Persistent Cybersecurity Talent Shortage
Across all sectors, finding and retaining skilled security pros is an ongoing challenge. This shortage drives up the cost of hiring and can leave smaller practices understaffed. As a result, many veterinary practices turn to managed security service providers (MSSPs) for specialized expertise.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: With AI and other complex tools becoming standard, a workforce that understands modern threats is vital. Allocating budget toward either staff upskilling or outsourcing to MSPs could pay off by lowering breach risks and ensuring swift incident response.
10. More Bullets, Smarter Bullets
Cybercriminals will continue launching relentless attacks—akin to a digital rain. At the same time, they’re getting smarter, employing AI to craft customized phishing campaigns that target multiple recipients at once. These “smarter bullets” are multistage, combining everything from deepfake phone calls to advanced trojans lurking in the network.
Why it matters for veterinary practices: Being a small practice no longer guarantees obscurity. A single staff member clicking a wrong link can invite a barrage of advanced cyber threats. Proactive training, layered defenses, and regular security assessments are not optional but a critical line of defense.
Final Thoughts
Veterinary practices face unique cybersecurity challenges. They handle sensitive patient and payment data, and they’re increasingly reliant on digital platforms to keep businesses running smoothly. As we move into 2025, staying ahead of the trends is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity to safeguard clinical operations, patient well-being, and client trust.
From AI-powered defenses to unified security platforms and more robust regulatory scrutiny, the future demands a proactive and holistic cybersecurity approach, not reactive. By embracing these trends and implementing strong defensive measures, veterinary practices can ensure they’re well-prepared for a fast-changing threat landscape—and can keep delivering exceptional care to pets and their owners with minimal disruption.