Cost of Attacks

The cost of attacks has significantly decreased because of the widespread availability of advanced tools and techniques. Attackers can now launch automated attacks on multiple targets and focus only on those that show vulnerabilities. This reduces the resources and effort required compared to earlier when tools and knowledge were less accessible 1.

In healthcare, ransomware attacks have caused steep financial impacts. Attackers strategically determine ransom amounts that target organizations are likely to pay. Cyber insurance is becoming essential but is also costly and demands strict security controls. The average cost of a breach in healthcare has surged from $7 million to $10 million in recent years 2.

In the context of blockchain, particularly Ethereum, the proof-of-stake mechanism increases the cost of repeated attacks. Each attack reduces the available Ether supply and makes subsequent attacks more expensive due to rising Ether prices. This built-in economic deterrent makes large-scale attacks less feasible over time 3.