IN the first half of 2026, cyberattacks on the healthcare sector increased by 14%. Notably, attacks on healthcare businesses surged by 110% compared to the same period last year. A ransomware attack on the University of Mississippi Medical Center caused significant operational disruption. Cybercriminals target healthcare due to the potential for accessing multiple organizations through a single compromised provider.
Key factors attracting cybercriminals to healthcare include overlooked security measures, the ransomware-as-a-service model, and the severe consequences faced by hospitals from attacks, which often lead to ransom payments. Overall, the rise in attacks is not limited to healthcare, with a general increase of 11% across all industries.