Many hospitals have adopted Bluetooth devices because they facilitate wireless communication seamlessly within a limited distance. However, malicious parties have found ways to exploit the technology’s vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorized access to patient information and other sensitive data.
9 Common Bluetooth Cybersecurity Risks in Health Care
Bluetooth devices are incredibly useful in modern health care settings. However, their ease of use can also come with risks. In 2025, researchers found a hidden exploit affecting more than a billion Bluetooth chips worldwide.
Health care providers and IT professionals need a solid understanding of these dangers to set clear expectations that lead to practical solutions.
1. Bluejacking
Bluejacking happens when someone sends unsolicited messages via Bluetooth. Many attackers use this method to market or advertise a product or service without the receiver’s consent.
These notifications are usually harmless, albeit annoying. However, malicious actors could use this method to send malware or phishing links, tricking people into revealing sensitive information or downloading viruses and harmful files. Bluejacking could put the recipient, possibly the entire network, in danger.
2. Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing is a more insidious attack. It allows attackers to access Bluetooth devices and their contents, steal important files and information and cause data breaches. Recovering from these incidents is difficult and expensive — recent data shows the average cost of a health care data breach has reached $11 million, covering legal fines, direct damages and more.
These bluetooth cybersecurity attacks are especially damaging to health care facilities storing large amounts of sensitive patient data, from contact information and financial data to medical histories and diagnoses. Attackers can also use them to steal company and employee information, which can be just as confidential.
3. Bluesmacking
Bluesmacking is a variation of a standard denial-of-service (DoS) attack, where hackers transmit a data packet that exceeds a Bluetooth device’s capacity. When the device receives the packet, the file size overwhelms it and renders it unusable.
This downtime could lead to disruptions in essential hospital procedures, affecting the quality of care patients might receive.
4. Bluebugging
Bluebugging is a more severe attack that allows the hacker to gain complete control over the device and what it does. Once they establish the connection, the attacker can read and send messages, make calls, eavesdrop on ongoing communication and access sensitive information.
This type of bluetooth cybersecurity intrusion can be highly dangerous. Attackers can do whatever they want with the device and control it remotely. Hospitals could experience massive breaches and privacy violations that can harm both the organization and its patients.
5. BlueBorne Attacks
BlueBorne attacks are similar to bluebugging but a bit more sinister. Bluebugging requires a direct connection to the device it plans to attack, while BlueBorne attacks do not. They give attackers remote access to a device without needing to connect to it, as long as it’s in range.
What makes these attacks dangerous is that they can be invisible to the everyday person. Hospitals can experience massive breaches, lose control over the device’s features and have malware distributed throughout their networks.
6. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
As the name suggests, a man-in-the-middle attack involves three parties — two Bluetooth devices trying to communicate, and the attacker in the middle.
The man in the middle could be an unauthorized spectator, or they could tamper with the information being transmitted. They could access confidential information, credentials, or personal data. They could also change people’s messages and cause miscommunication between the different parties.
7. Bluetooth Device Impersonation
This attack is exactly as it sounds — an attacker spoofs the name and media access control (MAC) address of their device to impersonate a trusted party. Staff could connect to this malicious device, thinking it was part of the hospital’s network.
Attackers then get unauthorized access to the hospital’s various devices. They could steal data, meddle with essential communications and even install malware that could spread throughout the entire system.
8. Outdated or Insecure Protocols
Older Bluetooth standards and protocols often have weaker security than newer versions. Malicious entities could easily take advantage of weaker security, especially as technology evolves and hackers also improve their modus operandi.
Using outdated devices or failing to update their protocols could leave hospitals vulnerable to various exploits.
9. Human Error
Many cybersecurity vulnerabilities stem from human error. According to a recent study, it contributed to 95% of data breaches in 2024.
For example, staff might accidentally make their devices discoverable or connect to unauthorized devices or networks. While sometimes harmless, one mistake could lead to dangerous consequences for the entire system.
How Hospitals Can Defend Themselves
Bluetooth is still beneficial despite its weaknesses, so hospitals will need to up their cybersecurity to keep their data, employees and patients safe from attackers. These general guidelines help strengthen workplace Bluetooth systems and minimize the chances of a breach.
Update Software and Devices
Hospital IT teams should regularly check for device or firmware updates, as these often come with security patches that improve the device’s defences against cyberattacks and unauthorized access.
Turn off Discoverability
Bluetooth devices sometimes need to stay on for them to be functional. One way to prevent unauthorized access is to turn off its discoverability after connecting to the necessary gadgets or networks. This way, the device can keep working as intended without admitting unauthorized parties.
Set up Pairing Authentication
Each device should have secure authentication systems, requiring PINs or passwords to access. While these may not be entirely fool-proof, they add a layer of security that can slow down or stop potential attackers from entering the system.
Train Employees
Employees work with these devices daily, making them crucial to building out their defences. Conducting regular cybersecurity training teaches staff to spot potential threats and react appropriately to prevent attacks from escalating.
Staying Proactive
Bluetooth technology has become essential in many hospitals worldwide. Understanding its risks, from software vulnerabilities to human error, helps health care IT teams prepare and strengthen their defences, ensuring the safety of the institution and its employees and patients.
By Zac Amos, ReHack
