Business downtime during a cyberattack can cost over $1,400 per minute—proactive protection is critical.

The Real Cost of Downtime: Why Cybersecurity Can’t Wait

Cyberattacks don’t just threaten data—they threaten your entire business. While the price tag of a ransom might be what grabs headlines, it’s only one piece of the financial puzzle. Business downtime is where the real costs quickly add up, and those costs are staggering.

According to industry data, the average cost of business downtime is $1,467 per minute. That’s nearly $88,000 per hour—and the longer a cyberattack goes undetected, the more damage it causes.

More Than Just Ransom: What a Cyberattack Really Costs

Paying a ransom isn’t a quick fix—and it’s not a guarantee you’ll get your data back. But even if you do, the direct and indirect costs of recovering from an attack can be crippling. Consider this:

• $250,000+ is what 1 in 5 mid-sized businesses ends up paying to recover from a cyberattack.

• 60% of small businesses permanently close within six months of an attack.

• On top of ransom demands, businesses may face legal fees, compliance fines, and lost revenue.

Then there’s the hardest cost to quantify—your reputation. Customers may tolerate a delayed shipment or service outage, but they won’t easily forgive a data breach, especially if it involves their personal or financial information.

Slow Detection Can Debilitate Your Business

If a cybercriminal breaches your systems today, it could take weeks before you even know it. The average dwell time—the period between an intrusion and its detection—is 16 days. That’s over two weeks for attackers to explore your systems, exfiltrate sensitive data, and deepen their foothold.

For example, one healthcare organization took 21 days to detect a breach that ultimately exposed the sensitive records of over two million patients. The incident resulted in massive fallout—legal challenges, reputational damage, and significant loss of trust. Delays in detection gave attackers time to exploit sensitive data long before protective action could be taken.

By then, what began as a breach can quickly escalate into a full-blown business crisis. The longer a threat goes unnoticed, the more damage it can cause—both financially and operationally.

The Power of Proactive Protection

One of the best ways to minimize risk and reduce downtime is by implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, such as working with a Security Operations Center (SOC). A SOC monitors your systems 24/7, detects suspicious activity in real time, and responds quickly to stop breaches before they spread.

Key benefits of a managed SOC include:

• Continuous Monitoring: Get real-time alerts and insights into your system activity.

• Rapid Response: Reduce dwell time by acting quickly when suspicious activity is detected.

• Peace of Mind: Know your business is protected by a team of experts dedicated to keeping you secure.

Protect Your Business Before It’s Too Late

Cyberattacks aren’t a matter of “if”—they’re a matter of “when.” And when they happen, the cost of downtime can spiral out of control in minutes.

If your cybersecurity strategy hasn’t been updated recently—or worse, doesn’t exist—it’s time to act. Proactive protection may seem like a cost today, but it’s a fraction of what you’ll pay if an attack brings your business to a halt.

Want help assessing your risk and preparing for the unexpected? Reach out to our team today to start building a cybersecurity strategy that protects your business—and your bottom line.