Nearly a quarter of surveyed healthcare cyberattack victims experienced increased mortality rates following a data breach, and more than half reported poorer patient outcomes due to longer hospital stays and delayed procedures. Healthcare has faced the highest average data breach cost—more than $10 million—of any industry for the last 12 years. The evidence is clear: Action must be taken to better prevent breaches and improve patient safety.

Congress is considering medical-device cybersecurity legislation, but the process is arduous. With an average of two healthcare data breaches per day, healthcare systems can’t wait for bills to pass. And even if they passed immediately, the short-term effect would be minimal. Patients need cybersecurity for medical equipment now.

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