Cybersecurity threats are not slowing down. According to Check Point Research’s Global Threat Intelligence Report (August 2025), organizations worldwide faced an average of 1,994 cyberattacks per week, representing a 10% year-over-year increase. India remains one of the most heavily targeted countries, with organizations recording 3,237 attacks weekly, only slightly down by 1% from last year.
Education Tops the Hit List
Education remains the most targeted industry globally, facing an average of 4,178 weekly attacks per organization, a 13% year-over-year increase. The report highlights how growing digitization in schools and universities has widened the attack surface, while underfunded defenses make them easy prey for cybercriminals. In India, education is the most targeted sector, followed by the government and consumer goods.
Critical Sectors Under Fire
Telecommunications, with 2,992 weekly incidents globally (+28% YoY), is increasingly in attackers’ crosshairs as both vital infrastructure and a gateway to downstream systems. Government institutions recorded 2,634 weekly attacks, while agriculture saw the most dramatic surge—up 101% YoY. With its reliance on IoT sensors, drones, and connected supply chains, agriculture’s exposure underscores how cyber threats are expanding beyond traditional industries.
Regional Trends
Africa topped the list of most attacked regions, with 3,239 weekly attacks per organization, followed closely by India and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Latin America (2,865 weekly attacks) and Europe (1,685) also experienced increases, while North America reported a 20% spike, primarily driven by ransomware, which now accounts for 54% of U.S. cases worldwide.
Ransomware’s Relentless Rise
Ransomware incidents surged 14% globally, with 531 reported cases in August alone. Manufacturing, business services, and construction bore the brunt, while healthcare and education also suffered significant disruption. Groups like Qilin, Akira, and Inc. Ransom dominated the ransomware landscape, with Inc. Ransom being particularly active against the healthcare and education sectors.
The Road Ahead: Prevention-First Strategy
As Omer Dembinsky, Data Research Manager at Check Point Research, noted: “Cyberattacks are intensifying in both volume and impact. With ransomware rising and AI accelerating attack speed, the only sustainable path forward is a prevention-first, AI-powered strategy.” Organizations must prioritize real-time prevention across networks, cloud, endpoints, and identities to build resilience against increasingly sophisticated threats.
