Cyber Attack Surge by 28%:Education Sector at High Risk

In Q1 2024, Check Point Research (CPR) witnessed a notable increase in the average number of cyber attacks per organization per week, reaching 1308.

This marked a 5% increase from Q1 2023 and a 28% increase from the last quarter of 2023.

This escalation is not just a number but a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threat landscape.

The substantial increase from Q4 2023 accentuates a worrying trend of rapid escalation in cyber threats.

Global Attacks Per Industry

The Education/Research sector experienced a significant blow with an average of 2454 attacks per organization weekly, leading the chart in targeted industries, followed by the Government/Military (1692 attacks per week) and Healthcare (1605 attacks per organization) sectors, signaling an alarming vulnerability in sectors that are pivotal to societal function, as reported by Checkpoint.

However, the substantial year-on-year increase in attacks on the Hardware Vendor industry, rising by 37%, underlines a strategic shift in cybercriminals’ target preference.

This industry’s increasing reliance on hardware for IoT and smart devices makes these vendors lucrative targets for cybercriminals.

Regional Attacks/Industry

Regionally, Africa surged to the forefront with an average of 2373 attacks per week per organization, a 20% jump from the same period in 2023.

In contrast, Latin America showed a 20% decline, perhaps indicating a shift in focus or improved defensive measures in the region; another reason could be cybercriminals’ temporary shift in focus on other, more vulnerable areas worldwide.

The data also revealed a nuanced picture of varying intensities and types of cyber threats in different regions, underscoring cyber warfare’s complex and dynamic nature.

In Q1 2024, North America was the region most impacted by Ransomware attacks, accounting for 59% out of close to 1000 published ransomware attacks, followed by Europe (24%) and APAC (12%).

The most significant increase in reported attacks compared to Q1 2023 was seen in Europe, with a significant 64% increase.

This significant increase could be attributed to the increased digitization of services and regulatory environments, which may make organizations more vulnerable or visible targets.

In contrast, North America saw a 16% increase, indicating a sustained focus by attackers on this region.

The most impacted Industry globally was the Manufacturing sector, accounting for 29% of published ransomware attacks and almost double the number of reported attacks Year over Year.

This was followed by the Healthcare industry, which had 11% of the attacks (and a 63% increase Year over Year), and Retail/Wholesale, which had 8% of the attacks.

The data underscores the importance of a proactive and adaptive cybersecurity strategy to mitigate the risks posed by the evolving threat landscape.

As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, the need for advanced defense mechanisms and awareness becomes paramount.

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