Colombia healthcare sector faces surge in cyberattacks

Cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector in Colombia have reached critical levels, with six out of ten reported attacks directed at hospitals and clinics. According to a Biofile report analyzing IBM’s X-Force index, the sector faces significant risks to patient safety, as disruptions can prevent doctors from accessing vital information such as allergies, medical histories, or medication records.

In March, the Superintendencia Nacional de Salud reported over 23 million attack attempts in a single month. The entity also confirmed unauthorized access to its Sperargo documentary system, where attackers downloaded data equivalent to 1.6% of its repository, involving sensitive personal information related to complaints and claims.

During the first half of 2026, 410 ransomware attacks and claims were recorded against health providers in the country, representing a 14% increase from the previous semester. This averages to approximately 2.3 incidents per day, with 247 of these specifically hitting hospitals and direct healthcare providers. The scale of the threat is underscored by the fact that Colombia has more than 51 million health system affiliates.