During the third quarter of 2025, data breaches exposed more than ** million records worldwide. Since the first quarter of 2020, the highest number of data records were exposed in the third quarter of ****, more than **** billion data sets. Data breaches remain among the biggest concerns of company leaders worldwide. The most common causes of sensitive information loss were operating system vulnerabilities on endpoint devices. Which industries see the most data breaches? Meanwhile, certain conditions make some industry sectors more prone to data breaches than others. According to the latest observations, the public administration experienced the highest number of data breaches between 2021 and 2022. The industry saw *** reported data breach incidents with confirmed data loss. The second were financial institutions, with *** data breach cases, followed by healthcare providers. Data breach cost Data breach incidents have various consequences, the most common impact being financial losses and business disruptions. As of 2023, the average data breach cost across businesses worldwide was **** million U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, a leaked data record cost about *** U.S. dollars. The United States saw the highest average breach cost globally, at **** million U.S. dollars.

In 2024, the number of data compromises in the United States stood at 3,158 cases. Meanwhile, over 1.35 billion individuals were affected in the same year by data compromises, including data breaches, leakage, and exposure. While these are three different events, they have one thing in common. As a result of all three incidents, the sensitive data is accessed by an unauthorized threat actor. Industries most vulnerable to data breaches Some industry sectors usually see more significant cases of private data violations than others. This is determined by the type and volume of the personal information organizations of these sectors store. In 2024 the financial services, healthcare, and professional services were the three industry sectors that recorded most data breaches. Overall, the number of healthcare data breaches in some industry sectors in the United States has gradually increased within the past few years. However, some sectors saw decrease. Largest data exposures worldwide In 2020, an adult streaming website, CAM4, experienced a leakage of nearly 11 billion records. This, by far, is the most extensive reported data leakage. This case, though, is unique because cyber security researchers found the vulnerability before the cyber criminals. The second-largest data breach is the Yahoo data breach, dating back to 2013. The company first reported about one billion exposed records, then later, in 2017, came up with an updated number of leaked records, which was three billion. In March 2018, the third biggest data breach happened, involving India’s national identification database Aadhaar. As a result of this incident, over 1.1 billion records were exposed.

Between January 2014 and November 2023, the most significant data breach incident involving the U.S. government was the 2018 breach at the U.S. Postal Service. The incident compromised 60 million records. During the data breach incident at the Office of Personnel Management in 2015, 21.5 million data records were affected.

Between November 2023 and October 2024, organizations in the manufacturing sector worldwide saw around 818 incidents of data breaches caused by hacking. The healthcare industry ranked second, with 745 data breaches in the measured period. Furthermore, hacking caused 564 data breach incidents in the professional sector.

As of 2024, the average cost of a data breach in the United States amounted to **** million U.S. dollars, down from **** million U.S. dollars in the previous year. The global average cost per data breach was **** million U.S. dollars in 2024. Cost of a data breach in different countries worldwide Data breaches impose a big threat for organizations globally. The monetary damage caused by data breaches has increased in many markets in the past decade. In 2023, Canada followed the U.S. by data breach costs, with an average of **** million U.S. dollars. Since 2019, the average monetary damage caused by loss of sensitive information in Canada has increased notably. In the United Kingdom, the average cost of a data breach in 2024 amounted to around **** million U.S. dollars, while in Germany it stood at **** million U.S. dollars. The cost of data breach by industry and segment Data breach costs vary depending on the industry and segment. For the fourth consecutive year, the global healthcare sector registered the highest costs of data breach, which in 2024 amounted to about **** million U.S. dollars. Financial institutions ranked second, with an average cost of *** million U.S. dollars for a data breach. Detection and escalation was the costliest segment in data breaches worldwide, with **** U.S. dollars on average. The cost for lost business ranked second, while response following a breach came across as the third-costliest segment.

View Data Breach Notification Reports, which include how many breaches are reported each year and the number of affected residents.

This dataset provides a view of the top various data breaches of 2023 around the world. It includes the Organization Name, sector, location, year, month, known records breached and the type of records that were compromised.

This is my first dataset, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Between January and November 2023, California was the U.S. state with the highest number of reported data breach incidents targeting the government. In the measured period, the government agencies saw 16 cases of data breaches. Texas ranked second, with eight incidents. Overall, 137 cases of government data breaches were recorded in the United States.

As of October 2023, the human element was involved in 68 percent of data breaches worldwide. Ransomware or extortion accounted for 32 percent, while errors contributed to 28 percent of incidents. Third-party factors, including software vulnerabilities, were involved in 15 percent of breaches.

As of January 2025, the most significant data privacy violation fine worldwide was for social media giant Meta. In May 2023, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) of Ireland decided to fine the company with 1.2 billion euros or 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. The Chinese vehicle-for rent company Didi Global ranked second. In July 2022, China's data privacy regulator fined the company 8.026 billion Chinese yuan, or 1.19 billion U.S. dollars. The 2021 Amazon fine issued by Luxembourg's data privacy regulation authorities was 877 million U.S. dollars and was the third-biggest data breach fine as of the measured month. The 2019 fine of 575 million U.S. dollars to Equifax followed. In this incident, because of unpatched vulnerabilities, nearly 150 million people were affected, which caused the American consumer credit reporting agency to pay at least 575 million U.S. dollars.

Data Breach Notification Software Market Outlook

The data breach notification software market size is projected to witness significant growth, with a 2023 valuation at approximately USD 1.2 billion and expected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%. Several key growth factors are driving this market, including the increasing number of data breaches across various sectors, stringent data protection regulations, and the growing awareness among enterprises about the need for robust data breach notification systems. These factors collectively push organizations towards adopting advanced solutions that aid in early breach detection and notification to mitigate potential damages.

A primary growth catalyst for the data breach notification software market is the rising incidence of data breaches globally, which have become more sophisticated and damaging. With cybercriminals employing advanced techniques to infiltrate corporate networks, the need for efficient breach notification solutions has surged. Companies are recognizing the critical importance of not only protecting their data but also having a contingency plan in place to notify affected parties promptly in the event of a breach. This need is further amplified by the potential financial and reputational damages that can arise from delayed or inadequate breach notifications, which can result in significant regulatory penalties and a loss of consumer trust.

Another significant factor contributing to the market's expansion is the implementation of stringent data protection regulations worldwide. Laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States have established rigorous standards for data breach notifications. Organizations are now mandated to report data breaches within specific timeframes, necessitating reliable software solutions to ensure compliance. These regulations not only underscore the importance of timely notifications but also demand transparency and accountability from enterprises, thereby driving the adoption of data breach notification software.

Additionally, the growing awareness and understanding among businesses of the broader implications of data breaches are also fueling market growth. Organizations of all sizes are increasingly investing in data breach notification software to protect their assets and customer information. The software not only helps in fulfilling legal obligations but also plays a crucial role in maintaining customer trust by demonstrating a commitment to data privacy and security. As companies strive to enhance their cybersecurity infrastructures, data breach notification software becomes a vital component of their overall strategy.

Regionally, the North American market holds a substantial share, driven by early adoption of technology, presence of major industry players, and stringent data protection laws. Europe follows closely, with its strict regulatory environment and high level of digital integration across industries. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate, attributed to the rapid digital transformation, increasing cyber threats, and progressive regulatory developments in countries like India, China, and Japan. The adoption of data breach notification software in the Latin American and Middle East & Africa regions is also on the rise, albeit at a slower pace, as awareness and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

Component Analysis

The data breach notification software market is segmented into software and services components, each playing a crucial role in ensuring comprehensive data protection strategies. The software component includes the actual platforms and applications that automate the process of detecting and notifying breaches. These solutions are equipped with features such as real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and detailed reporting capabilities. The increasing complexity and frequency of cyber threats have made it imperative for organizations to adopt robust software solutions that can swiftly identify data breaches and initiate timely notifications to comply with regulatory requirements.

Services, the other critical component, encompass a range of offerings such as consulting, implementation, training, and support services. These services are essential for organizations to effectively deploy and integrate breach notification software into their existing IT infrastructures. Consulting services help enterprises assess their current security postures and develop strategie

The Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 2023 (CSBS) was run to understand organisations' approaches and attitudes to cyber security, and to understand their experience of cyber security breaches. The aim of the survey was to support the Government by providing evidence that can inform policies which help to make Britain a safer place to do business online. Details of changes for the 2023 survey can be found in the Technical Annex documentation.

These surveys have been conducted annually since 2016 to understand the views of UK organisations on cyber security. Data are collected on topics including online use; attitudes of organisations to cyber security and awareness of Government initiatives; approaches to cyber security (including investment and processes); incidences and impact of a cyber security breach or attack; and how breaches are dealt with by the organisation. This information helps to inform Government policy towards organisations, including how best to target key messages to businesses and charities so that they are cyber secure (and so that the UK is the safest place in the world to do business online). The study is funded by the DSIT as part of the National Cyber Security Programme.

The underlying data are useful for researchers to better understand the response across a range of organisations and for wider comparability over time. The survey originally only covered businesses but was expanded to include charities from the 2018 survey onwards. From 2020, the survey includes a sample of education institutions (primary and secondary schools, further and higher education). Please note that the UK Data Service only holds data from 2018 onwards.

Further information and additional publications can be found on the GOV.UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023 webpage.

Latest Edition Information
For the second edition (August 2023), the data file has been updated to correct an error with the variable COUNTRY. In the earlier version, some non-charity data had been mistakenly mapped to a country in this variable, which refers to charities sampled only. These respondents have now been recoded as -1 (missing).

Between January and September 2024, healthcare organizations in the United States saw 491 large-scale data breaches, resulting in the loss of over 500 records. This figure has increased significantly in the last decade. To date, the highest number of large-scale data breaches in the U.S. healthcare sector was recorded in 2023, with a reported 745 cases.

The U.K. ICO fined 23andMe £2.31 million for inadequate data protection, leading to a 2023 breach affecting over 6.9 million users, including 155,000 in the U.K.

📌 Context of the Dataset

The Healthcare Ransomware Dataset was created to simulate real-world cyberattacks in the healthcare industry. Hospitals, clinics, and research labs have become prime targets for ransomware due to their reliance on real-time patient data and legacy IT infrastructure. This dataset provides insight into attack patterns, recovery times, and cybersecurity practices across different healthcare organizations.

Why is this important?

Ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations can shut down entire hospitals, delay treatments, and put lives at risk. Understanding how different healthcare organizations respond to attacks can help develop better security strategies. The dataset allows cybersecurity analysts, data scientists, and researchers to study patterns in ransomware incidents and explore predictive modeling for risk mitigation.

📌 Sources and Research Inspiration This simulated dataset was inspired by real-world cybersecurity reports and built using insights from official sources, including:

1️⃣ IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report (2024)

The healthcare sector had the highest average cost of data breaches ($10.93 million per incident). On average, organizations recovered only 64.8% of their data after paying ransom. Healthcare breaches took 277 days on average to detect and contain.

2️⃣ Sophos State of Ransomware in Healthcare (2024)

67% of healthcare organizations were hit by ransomware in 2024, an increase from 60% in 2023. 66% of backup compromise attempts succeeded, making data recovery significantly more difficult. The most common attack vectors included exploited vulnerabilities (34%) and compromised credentials (34%).

3️⃣ Health & Human Services (HHS) Cybersecurity Reports

Ransomware incidents in healthcare have doubled since 2016. Organizations that fail to monitor threats frequently experience higher infection rates.

4️⃣ Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Alerts

Identified phishing, unpatched software, and exposed RDP ports as top ransomware entry points. Only 13% of healthcare organizations monitor cyber threats more than once per day, increasing the risk of undetected attacks.

5️⃣ Emsisoft 2020 Report on Ransomware in Healthcare

The number of ransomware attacks in healthcare increased by 278% between 2018 and 2023. 560 healthcare facilities were affected in a single year, disrupting patient care and emergency services.

📌 Why is This a Simulated Dataset?

This dataset does not contain real patient data or actual ransomware cases. Instead, it was built using probabilistic modeling and structured randomness based on industry benchmarks and cybersecurity reports.

How It Was Created:

1️⃣ Defining the Dataset Structure

The dataset was designed to simulate realistic attack patterns in healthcare, using actual ransomware case studies as inspiration.

Columns were selected based on what real-world cybersecurity teams track, such as: Attack methods (phishing, RDP exploits, credential theft). Infection rates, recovery time, and backup compromise rates. Organization type (hospitals, clinics, research labs) and monitoring frequency.

2️⃣ Generating Realistic Data Using ChatGPT & Python

ChatGPT assisted in defining relationships between attack factors, ensuring that key cybersecurity concepts were accurately reflected. Python’s NumPy and Pandas libraries were used to introduce randomized attack simulations based on real-world statistics. Data was validated against industry research to ensure it aligns with actual ransomware attack trends.

3️⃣ Ensuring Logical Relationships Between Data Points

Hospitals take longer to recover due to larger infrastructure and compliance requirements. Organizations that track more cyber threats recover faster because they detect attacks earlier. Backup security significantly impacts recovery time, reflecting the real-world risk of backup encryption attacks.

Between November 2023 and October 2024, the manufacturing industry saw 1,032 data breach cases caused by system intrusion. Basic web application attacks resulted in 201 data breaches in the finance sector.

Indroduction

The Global Cyber Insurance Market is projected to grow from USD 12.1 billion in 2023 to USD 90.6 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 22.3%, driven by rising cyber threats like ransomware (ransom payments doubled to $1.1 billion in 2023) and regulatory pressures such as GDPR and CCPA.​ Standalone policies dominated insurance types at over 68.2% share in 2023 for specialized coverage against breaches and theft; third-party coverage led at 62.1% to protect against external claims, legal fees, and IP theft.

Large enterprises captured 72.4% in enterprise size due to high data exposure and global operations, while BFSI topped verticals at 28.3% handling sensitive financial data amid strict compliance needs.​North America held 37.6% revenue share (USD 4.5 billion) in 2023 from frequent attacks on tech/finance sectors; 87% of decision-makers worry about inadequate protection, with manufacturing hit hardest by ransomware (67% incidence).​

The Cyber Insurance market is picking up speed as companies face more frequent and costly cyber attacks that threaten their operations and finances. This coverage helps businesses recover from data breaches, ransomware demands, and business disruptions by paying for response costs, legal fees, and lost income. With digital tools everywhere - from cloud storage to remote work - firms can't afford to ignore the financial hit from cyber incidents, making insurance a practical safety net alongside firewalls and training.

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Rising cyber threats like ransomware and phishing top the list of drivers, pushing about 45% of claims from business interruptions alone. Tougher rules on data protection, such as quick breach reporting, force companies to buy coverage or face huge fines. The boom in cloud services and IoT gadgets widens the attack surface, while growing awareness of hidden risks in supply chains adds urgency. Small businesses, often overlooked before, now seek simple policies to match their budgets.

Challenges include evolving threats complicating risk pricing, high claim costs, and SME adoption barriers, but trends like AI risk assessment, tailored policies, and COTS integration offer growth; key players include AIG, Chubb, and Zurich via acquisitions like Travelers' $435 million Corvus buy in January 2024.