Background: Healthcare institutions have become complex cyber-physical ecosystems where digital and physical infrastructures intersect to deliver patient care. This interconnection, while enhancing operational efficiency, has simultaneously increased vulnerability to cyberattacks and physical breaches. Traditional approaches that separate cybersecurity from physical protection are no longer adequate, as threats increasingly exploit the overlap between networks, devices, and facility access systems. The integration of both domains is therefore critical to safeguarding data, infrastructure, and human lives (WHO, 2023; Gartner, 2024).

Objective: This review examines how healthcare institutions can implement integrated security frameworks that unify cybersecurity and physical security practices. It highlights global trends, identifies gaps within Saudi healthcare systems, and proposes strategies aligned with Vision 2030 for building digitally resilient and safe hospital environments.

Methods: A narrative review approach was adopted, analyzing publications from 2019 to 2025 sourced from PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Studies were screened for relevance to cyber–physical convergence, hospital security systems, and smart infrastructure management. Data were categorized into four thematic domains: cybersecurity infrastructure, physical security systems, integration mechanisms, and organizational readiness.

Results: Findings reveal that hospitals face dual threats—cyber incidents such as ransomware attacks and physical intrusions that exploit digital vulnerabilities. Integrating both domains through AI-based surveillance, unified command centers, and Zero-Trust architectures significantly improves situational awareness and response time. International case studies show a reduction of 40–60% in incident response delays when adopting integrated models. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 health initiatives provide a strong foundation for this transition, but ongoing challenges include limited cross-sector coordination and training gaps among hospital security teams.

Conclusion:
Cybersecurity and physical security integration is no longer optional—it is essential for sustaining healthcare resilience. Hospitals must adopt unified frameworks supported by artificial intelligence, standardized governance, and continuous workforce development. Through these measures, Saudi Arabia can strengthen national health security, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure that both digital systems and human lives remain safe within the era of smart healthcare transformation.