Quebec has experienced a dramatic rise in reported data breaches over the past three years, with the Québec Access to Information Commission recording a 559 percent increase in incidents. The surge reflects a rapid escalation in the number of cases where personal information has been compromised, according to the commission’s latest figures.
Among the compromised data, medical records have emerged as the most valuable commodity on the illicit market. Cybersecurity researchers note that a single person’s health information can fetch between $250 and $1,000 when sold to fraudsters. The high price reflects the depth of personal detail contained in medical files, which can be used for identity theft, insurance fraud and other illegal activities.
The commission’s report underscores the scale of the problem, while the researchers’ warning highlights the financial incentive driving attackers. Both sources point to the growing attractiveness of health data compared with other types of personal information. The combination of a steep increase in breach reports and the premium price paid for medical records suggests that Quebec’s residents face heightened exposure to cyber‑crime risks. Authorities and security experts are monitoring the trend as they consider measures to protect personal data and reduce the frequency of future incidents.