%20(1).webp?w=696&resize=696,0&ssl=1 "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.
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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.
| Region | Avg weekly attacks per org | YoY Change |
| Africa | 2372 | +20% |
| APAC | 2133 | +16% |
| Latin America | 1267 | -20% |
| Europe | 1030 | +0.4% |
| North America | 972 | +2% |
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.
| Percent of Published Ransomware Attacks | Percent out of Published Ransomware Attacks | YoY Change in Amount of Published Attacks |
| Manufacturing | 29% | +96% |
| Healthcare | 11% | +63% |
| Retail/Wholesale | 8% | -4% |
| Finance/Banking | 6% | +22% |
| Insurance/Legal | 5% | +49% |
| Education/Research | 5% | -7% |
| Transportation | 5% | +28% |
| Communications | 4% | +177% |
| Government/Military | 3% | -40% |
| Software vendor | 3% | -61% |
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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