Health care sector faces rising cyberattacks as data breaches surge
Cyberattacks in the health care sector have risen sharply, with over 133 million records exposed in 2023. Human error was responsible for 75% of data breaches in 2024, highlighting vulnerabilities in the industry. The average cost of health care data breaches increased from $7.13 million in 2020 to $9.36 million in 2024. New regulations require organizations to report breaches to the SEC within 72 hours, and a five-year cybersecurity plan aims to address risks. Legislation is being proposed to enforce minimum cybersecurity standards for health care providers. The Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act seeks to improve funding and resources for hospitals, especially those in low-resource areas.