By LineaEDP editorial team 12/01/2022 Check Point Research shared global statistics on the increase in cyber attacks observed in 2021 by region, country and sector
To kick off the new year, Check Point Research (CPR), the threat intelligence division of Check Point Software Technologies, shared global statistics regarding the increase in cyber attacks observed in 2021 by region, country and sector. In the year just ended, CPR saw a 50% increase in cyber attacks per week on corporate networks compared to 2020, peaking in December, largely due to Log4J exploits - reaching 925 cyber attacks per week per organization. globally. Hackers have targeted Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America, but Europe has seen the highest percentage increase in cyber attacks. The Education / Research sector ranked first among the most targeted industrial sectors in the world.
The sectors most targeted by hackers worldwide in 2021 1. Education / Research (+ 75%) 2. Government / Military (+ 47%) 3. Communications (+ 51%) 4. ISP / MSP (67%) 5. Healthcare (71%) The most targeted regions 1. Africa (+ 13%) 2. Asia Pacific (+ 25%) 3. Latin America (+ 38%) 4. Europe (+ 68%) 5. North America (+ 61%)
As pointed out in an official note by Omer Dembinsky, Data Research Manager of Check Point Software: «Hackers never stop innovating their techniques. Last year, we saw a staggering 50% more cyber attacks per week, compared to 2020. The peak came towards the end of the year, largely due to attempts to exploit the Log4J vulnerability. New penetration techniques and evasion methods have made life easier for hackers. What is most alarming is the list of the most attacked sectors. Education, government and healthcare have entered the list of the 5 most targeted sectors globally. I expect these numbers to increase in 2022 as hackers continue to innovate and find new ways to perform cyber attacks, specifically, ransomware attacks. We are witnessing a cyber pandemic. I strongly urge people, especially those in education, government and health care, to learn the basics of how to protect themselves. Simple measures like patching, network segmentation and employee training can help make the world safer ”.
LineaEDP editorial staff EDITORIAL ARTICLE