In the first quarter of 2025, the global landscape of cyber threats has dramatically escalated, with businesses facing a staggering increase in both the volume and sophistication of attacks. According to Check Point Software’s Q1 2025 Cyber Threat Intelligence Report, organizations experienced an average of 1,925 cyberattacks per week, marking a 47% increase from the previous year.
The education sector emerged as the prime target for cybercriminals, suffering from an alarming average of 4,484 attacks each week. This figure represents a 40% increase compared to the next most-targeted industry, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by educational institutions in today’s digital environment. Other heavily impacted sectors included government, telecommunications, healthcare, and automotive, with notable numbers of 2,678 and 2,664 attacks per week respectively.
Geographically, Africa stood out as the region with the highest number of cyber incidents, witnessing a 39% increase, resulting in an average of 3,286 weekly attacks. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region closely followed with a 38% rise in attacks. Surprisingly, while Latin America experienced the highest percentage growth in attacks at 108%, it did not lead in overall volume. Europe and North America reported increases of 57% and 40%, respectively, underscoring a widespread threat landscape.
Ransomware incidents have surged dramatically, with a staggering 126% increase compared to the same period last year, predominantly affecting North America which accounted for 62% of global ransomware cases. Various sectors were targeted, with Consumer Goods & Services facing the brunt of these attacks. The rise in cyber threats is reflective of the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals, notably the prevalence of double-extortion methods impacting organizations across multiple sectors and regions.