Ransomware Costs U.S. Healthcare $20.8 Billion Since 2018
Comparitech
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
Ransomware attacks on U.S. healthcare organizations have caused significant financial harm, amounting to about $20.8 billion since 2018, with 654 successful incidents compromising nearly 89 million patient records. The average daily cost of downtime is estimated at $1.9 million, severely disrupting hospital operations. The problem escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in a record 143 attacks in 2023 alone, affecting over 26 million records. For instance, Ascension faced a major ransomware incident in May 2024, causing major disruptions and financial losses between $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion. Ransom demands have ranged from $4,000 to $10 million, averaging around $1.06 million, highlighting the considerable risks facing healthcare facilities.
