Healthcare Cyberattacks Disrupt Patient Care Amid Rising Costs

• •97% of healthcare organizations faced cyberattacks in the last year.
• •74% reported disruptions to patient care due to these attacks.
• •The average cost of the most expensive cyberattack reached $4.2 million.

A recent report by Proofpoint and Ponemon Institute reveals that 97% of U.S. healthcare organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year, with 74% reporting disruptions to patient care. The average number of attacks increased to 51, and the cost of the most expensive attack rose to $4.2 million, an 8% increase from 2025. Operational disruption is now the largest financial impact, averaging $1.39 million per incident. AI adoption in healthcare is accelerating, but 60% of organizations lack proper controls for sensitive data used in AI systems. The report indicates that cyber resilience is crucial for maintaining patient care, as delays and operational interruptions pose direct risks to patients. The findings are based on responses from 705 IT and security practitioners in the healthcare sector.