Up to $75M needed to fix up rural hospital cybersecurity as ransomware gangs keep scratching at the door

Microsoft estimates it would cost $70–75 million (about $30–40k per site) to bring basic cybersecurity to approximately 2,100 U.S. rural hospitals, with independent facilities most exposed; the analysis, tied to its Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals, links ransomware-driven disruptions to increased patient mortality and urges measures like MFA, unified identity management, and staff education amid sector-wide financial strain and rising attack volumes.