Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting single points of failure within companies, causing widespread disruptions across industries. According to cybersecurity firm Resilience, attackers have shifted their focus toward exploiting key vulnerabilities in highly interconnected organizations, triggering a “cascading effect of disruption and chaos downstream.” This strategy allows cybercriminals to maximize the impact of their attacks, affecting not just the initial target but also its partners, clients, and entire industries.
The financial consequences of these attacks have been severe. According to IBM research, the global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was nearly $4.9 million. However, some breaches were far more expensive. One of the most significant incidents involved a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth that processes billions of medical claims annually. UnitedHealth reported that the attack cost the company $3.1 billion in response efforts, making it one of the most financially damaging cyber incidents in recent history.
The attack caused major disruptions across the healthcare sector, impacting hospitals, insurance providers, and pharmacies. John Riggi, national cybersecurity advisor for the American Hospital Association, described the incident as “the most significant and consequential cyberattack in the history of U.S. health care.”
Another major ransomware attack targeted CDK Global, a software provider for car dealerships across the U.S. The breach resulted in over $1 billion in collective losses for affected dealerships, according to estimates from Anderson Economic Group.
This attack further demonstrated how cybercriminals can cripple entire industries by targeting critical service providers that businesses rely on for daily operations.
Resilience’s analysis indicates that third-party risk has become a dominant driver of cyber insurance claims. In 2024, third-party breaches accounted for 31% of all claims filed by its clients. While the number was slightly higher in 2023 at 37%, none of those incidents resulted in material financial losses. The report also found that ransomware targeting vendors has become a significant concern, contributing to 18% of all incurred claims.
Ransomware remained the top cause of financial loss in cyber incidents last year, responsible for 62% of claims involving monetary damages. However, Resilience’s research suggests that while ransomware remains a major threat, its frequency may be declining in broader markets. This trend is attributed to cybercriminals shifting their focus from random, large-scale attacks to more strategic operations against high-value targets that offer larger payouts.
The evolving threat landscape underscores the need for organizations to strengthen cybersecurity measures, particularly in highly interconnected industries. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and financially motivated, businesses must prioritize risk management, enhance third-party security assessments, and invest in cyber resilience to prevent large-scale disruptions.
