Cyberattacks targeting healthcare institutions are causing economic losses of up to $7.4 million per event, according to a report by expansion.mx.
The healthcare sector has become a primary target for cybercriminals due to the rapid digitalization of processes following the COVID-19 pandemic. The IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 indicates that the average cost of a data breach in this industry is the highest recorded in 14 consecutive years.
Operational downtime resulting from ransomware attacks also takes a heavy toll on hospital finances. In the United States alone, every day of technological paralysis costs the sector $1.9 million, with incidents typically lasting around 17 days, according to the source.
Vulnerabilities Due to Obsolete Infrastructure
A lack of technological updates is making it easier for attackers to penetrate critical networks. Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 report warned that 83% of medical imaging devices are running on operating systems that are no longer supported.
Víctor Ruiz, CEO of the cybersecurity firm Silikn, explained that current risks go beyond simple data leaks. “For the healthcare sector, the risk is no longer just a leak; an attacker can compromise critical systems without the user even having to click anything,” Ruiz stated.
In Mexico, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has been identified as a vulnerable organization. The specialist noted previous incidents at the institution, such as a ransomware attack in 2019 and a leak of member databases in 2021.
The complexity of these attacks is also increasing with the use of new technologies. David González, a cybersecurity researcher for Latin America at ESET, warned that artificial intelligence expands the attack surface by creating more complex infrastructures that are harder to protect.
In response to this landscape, the cybersecurity market for the medical industry is experiencing accelerated growth. According to data from The Business Research Company, this market is expected to grow by 20.7% to reach $331.6 billion in 202...
