In recent months, we have observed a diminishing impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the cyber domain. However, this does not mean that the number of cyberattacks has decreased. The cyber threat landscape remains exceptionally active. This necessitates maintaining enhanced security measures. According to data from Check Point Research, the second quarter of 2023 saw an 8 percent increase in the average number of attacks globally. Organizations are becoming targets of cyberattacks an average of 1,258 times per week. This requires implementing increasingly new techniques to effectively defend against the constantly evolving nature of attacks.

Education and Research Sector Still in the Crosshairs of Cyberattacks – 6 Percent Decrease, But Still a Major Target for Criminals

According to data provided by Check Point Research, the education and research sector remains a primary target for cybercriminals, although a 6 percent decrease in the number of attacks was recorded in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, this sector experienced an average of 2,179 attacks per week. The government and military sector ranked second, with a 9 percent increase in attacks (an average of 1,772 attacks per week), and the healthcare sector ranked third with an impressive 30 percent increase, averaging 1,744 attacks per week compared to the previous year.

Most Attacked Economic Sectors

The most alarming increases in attacks affected the retail and wholesale trade and consulting sectors. According to data from Check Point Research, both sectors recorded a 38 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2022. This significant figure indicates an urgent need to increase protection measures in these industries to effectively counter growing cybersecurity threats.

African Countries and Asia-Pacific Region Under Hacker Fire, Attacks on Poland Rise Drastically.

In recent months, there has been a disturbing increase in cyberattacks on African countries, with a 23 percent increase recorded compared to the previous period. The Asia-Pacific region is also experiencing a high threat level, with a 22 percent increase in attacks in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 2022. North America recorded an 18 percent increase, but the number of attacks remains lower than in other regions, averaging 1,011 per week. In Europe overall, a 5 percent increase in the number of attacks was registered, reaching 1,013 per week. A particularly alarming phenomenon is the 33 percent increase in attacks on Polish organizations, which experienced an average of 1,108 attacks per week in the second quarter of 2023. Moreover, ransomware attacks have become an increasingly serious problem for Polish enterprises. In 2022, the average ransom for data decryption was approximately 118,000 GBP, and some companies experienced losses reaching nearly 5.3 million GBP. Check Point Research emphasizes that ransomware threats are particularly severe for the healthcare sector. On average in Europe, 1 in 54 organizations fell victim to ransomware attacks, while in the healthcare sector this ratio was 1 in 27 institutions worldwide. Given these growing threats, cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly crucial challenge for organizations worldwide. Strengthening protection measures, risk awareness, and rapid response to threats are essential in the fight against the evolving nature of cyberattacks.




 

Global Number of Cyberattacks – Report and Analysis of Increases

 

 

 

Summary

The global number of cyberattacks in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 8 percent, and organizations were attacked an average of 1,258 times per week. The largest increases were recorded in retail and consulting (38 percent each), and Poland was among the countries particularly exposed – attacks on Polish organizations increased by 33 percent. The average ransomware ransom in Poland was approximately 118,000 GBP.

Interestingly, the healthcare sector experienced ransomware attacks twice as often as other industries – 1 in 27 institutions fell victim, while the European average is 1 in 54 organizations.