Insurance Crisis Looms as Healthcare Cyberattacks Increase By 90 Percent
Insurance Journal
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The healthcare sector is experiencing an alarming surge in cyberattacks, witnessing a 90% increase in incidents in 2025 compared to the previous year. This escalation not only raises costs associated with ransomware and lawsuits but also emphasizes the need for specialized cyber risk assessment and management tailored to healthcare's unique vulnerabilities, such as legacy systems and limited cybersecurity resources. The rise of double extortion tactics by cybercriminals further complicates claims under cyber insurance policies, as exemplified by the February 2024 breach of Change Healthcare, which disrupted services for numerous providers and jeopardized patient safety. For healthcare professionals, these developments underscore the critical necessity for robust cybersecurity measures and comprehensive insurance strategies to mitigate the impact of such attacks.
