As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, a silent war rages in the shadows of cyberspace, with hackers launching relentless assaults on organisations worldwide. The latest data from Check Point has shed light on the alarming escalation of this digital battlefield, revealing a startling 30% year-over-year increase in global cyber attacks during the second quarter of 2024 (2Q24) – the highest spike observed in the last two years.
This surge has left cybersecurity professionals scrambling to fortify defences as organisations face an average of 1,636 weekly attacks. The numbers paint a grim picture of a rapidly evolving threat landscape, where no sector is immune to the onslaught of malicious actors. Perhaps most concerning is the emergence of the education and research sector as the prime target for these cyber onslaughts.
This sector witnessed a staggering 53% increase in attacks compared to the same period last year, with organisations in this field facing an average of 3,341 attacks per week—the highest of any industry globally. In short, the vulnerability of educational institutions and research facilities has become a glaring weakness in the global cybersecurity infrastructure.
“Cyberattacks are increasing worldwide, with a 30% increase in weekly attacks on corporate networks in 2Q24 compared to 2Q23, and a 25% rise compared to the first quarter this year. The relentless onslaught of attacks underscores threat actors’ growing sophistication and persistence. Several cyber threat trends are all happening at once,” the report reads.

Check Point attributes this surge to several factors, including the wealth of sensitive information held by educational institutions and research facilities and often inadequate cybersecurity measures. The shift to remote learning and increased digitisation of educational resources has also expanded the attack surface, providing cybercriminals with more opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities.
While the education sector bore the brunt of the attacks, other industries were not spared. The government/military sector ranked the second most targeted, averaging 2,084 weekly attacks. Meanwhile, the healthcare sector saw a 15% increase in attacks compared to the previous year, with organisations facing an average of 1,999 weekly attacks.
The geographical distribution of attacks also revealed exciting patterns. Africa experienced the highest volume of attacks, with organisations facing an average of 2,960 weekly attacks – a 37% increase from 2023. Latin America, however, saw the most significant rise, with attacks surging by 53% year-over-year.
The report also highlighted a troubling trend in ransomware attacks. There was a 13% year-over-year increase in ransomware incidents involving public extortion, totalling approximately 1,200 cases. North America bore the brunt of these attacks, accounting for 58% of all reported ransomware incidents.
In light of these findings, cybersecurity experts at Check Point are urging organizations across all sectors to take immediate action. Recommendations include enhancing security postures, implementing advanced threat prevention technologies, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees.
The manufacturing sector, in particular, should be on high alert. The report revealed that this industry represented 29% of publicly extorted ransomware attack victims globally, marking a significant 56% year-over-year increase.
As we move into 2024, the cyber threat landscape shows no signs of calming. The rapid digital transformation across industries and the growing sophistication of cybercriminals leveraging advanced techniques like AI and machine learning continue to fuel this rise in attacks. Economic motivations, such as income from ransomware and phishing attacks, geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities, are expected to drive further increases in cyber attacks throughout the year.
See also: AT&T data breach affects 109 million US customers


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