A ransomware attack on a US hospital network took weeks to recover.
Medical staff recalled the situation inside their ward:
“It’s putting patients’ lives in danger. People have too many patients for what is safe. Nurses are taking on five or six patients, dealing with all of this paper charting. It’s frightening how many safety guardrails have been out of service without any computers.”
Everything you do, hour by hour, depends on critical services.
Hacking into systems begins by compromising technology but ultimately harms people.
The fallout ripples through everyday life: canceled surgeries, power outages, water and fuel shortages, food supply disruptions, broken communications, and transport chaos.
As the number of victims rises, one question demands an answer: what does a cyberattack really cost society?
What we do
Critical Cyber is a global initiative exposing the human toll of cyber threats.
We amplify the voices of people who have lived through and defended against cyberattacks. Their firsthand accounts make the full cost undeniable—and the demand for accountability urgent.
Our work combines testimony, research, and expert collaboration to:
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with clear insights into the human cost of cyber incidents, making the stakes visible and actionable.
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through their recovery, building resilience and helping others prepare and respond.
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through evidence-to-policy design, translating frontline experience into policy reform.
Healthcare
Ransomware forces hospitals to cancel surgeries, divert ambulances, and return to paper records. 445 healthcare providers were attacked worldwide in 2025.
Energy
Cyberattacks on power grids leave homes, hospitals, and businesses without electricity. Ransomware attacks on energy companies worldwide jumped 80% in 2024.
Water
A single operator incident nearly poisoned drinking water supplies in Florida. Water systems globally face growing exposure with limited defenses.
Food
Attacks on agriculture disrupt tightly linked supply chains from farm to shelf. Ransomware attacks against the US agriculture sector soared 27% in 2024.
Communications
When telecoms are breached, emergency services, businesses, and families lose the ability to connect. Cyber espionage campaigns targeted several telecommunications companies in 2024.
Transportation
Cyberattacks have disrupted major European airports, delayed rail networks, and grounded flights for thousands of passengers.
Manufacturing
A data breach halted a car manufacturer’s assembly lines, cutting workers’ hours and pay. Production shutdowns ripple through entire supply chains.
Education
Schools shut down, exams are canceled, and children’s personal data is exposed. Data breaches regularly disrupt education for millions of students worldwide.
Government
Ransomware attacks on municipalities disrupt public services, expose citizen data, and paralyze local government. 2025 saw a historic surge in attacks on city governments globally.
Finance
65% of financial organizations worldwide reported a ransomware attack in 2024—threatening savings, payments, and economic stability for millions.