An article in Healthcare Finance News reports that, “The global health care sector experienced a staggering 1,613 cyberattacks per week in the first three quarters of 2023, nearly four times the global average, and a significant increase from the same period the previous year, according to a KnowBe4 report.” This surge has contributed to a steep rise in cyberattack costs for health care organizations, with the average breach cost nearing $11 million – making healthcare the costliest sector for cyberattacks.
Ransomware attacks have dominated, accounting for over 70% of successful cyberattacks on healthcare organizations in the past two years. Phishing and social engineering tactics are the primary methods used to initiate the majority of cyberattacks, with estimates suggesting that 79% to 91% of attacks begin this way. The report noted employees in large healthcare organizations have a 51.4% likelihood of falling victim to phishing emails, giving cybercriminals a better than even chance of successfully breaching these institutions.
Healthcare cyberattacks are costing an average of $11 million per breach | Healthcare Finance News
