The world is witnessing an unprecedented surge in cyber-attacks, with new data indicating a steep escalation in both the frequency and sophistication of digital threats. From ransomware and data breaches to AI-driven social engineering, cybercrime is rapidly evolving into one of the greatest global challenges of the digital era.
According to multiple international cybersecurity reports, a cyber-attack now occurs every 39 seconds on average, amounting to over 2,200 attacks per day worldwide. Researchers warn that every sector—government, education, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure—is increasingly vulnerable.
Sharp rise in weekly attacks
A recent study by Check Point Research reported that global cyber-attacks rose by 30 per cent in the second quarter of 2024. Organisations faced an average of 1,636 attacks per week, marking one of the steepest increases in two years.
The upward trajectory continued into 2025. Data from the first quarter of 2025 shows that organisations are now encountering nearly 1,925 weekly attacks, representing a 47 per cent surge compared to the previous year.
Experts attribute this rise to geopolitical tensions, rapid digitalisation, and the increasing availability of AI-powered hacking tools, which have dramatically reduced the skill and time required to launch cyber-attacks.
Cost of breaches continues to soar
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that the average global cost of a data breach has reached $4.45 million, a record high. Small and medium businesses, which often lack robust cybersecurity measures, are among the hardest hit.
Cybersecurity analysts note that ransomware attacks—where attackers lock victims out of their own systems and demand payment—have become more targeted and more destructive. Several reports indicate triple-digit growth in ransomware incidents in key regions.
AI tools fuel complexity of attacks
One of the most concerning trends is the use of Artificial Intelligence by cybercriminals. AI enables attackers to craft convincing phishing emails, generate deepfake videos for fraud, and automate large-scale network scans to identify vulnerabilities.
“AI has made cyber-attacks faster, cheaper, and more difficult to detect,” experts warn. “Cybercriminals can now deploy adaptive malware that learns user behaviour or bypasses traditional antivirus systems.”
Vulnerabilities on the rise
Over 30,000 new software vulnerabilities were documented globally in 2024 alone—a 17 per cent increase from the previous year. Each new vulnerability presents an opportunity for hackers to infiltrate networks, raising the stakes for companies and governments alike.
A recent global survey revealed that 71 per cent of organisations experienced an increase in the number of attacks they faced, while 61 per cent reported greater severity in the breaches they encountered.
No sector is immune
Education and research institutions continue to be among the most targeted sectors, due to their open networks and valuable data. Government and healthcare institutions also face elevated risks, given their sensitive information and lower tolerance for operational downtime.
Experts emphasise that as more services—from banking and health records to public utilities—shift online, cybercriminals now have more avenues to exploit.
Need for stronger defences
The rising wave of attacks has prompted calls for stronger investments in cybersecurity infrastructure and training. Analysts recommend adopting AI-enabled security systems, multi-factor authentication, rapid incident response mechanisms, and regular cyber drills.
Governments are also being urged to strengthen cyber laws, encourage responsible AI use, and promote cross-border collaboration to tackle cybercrime networks that operate globally.
A public priority and public policy imperative
With cyber-attacks rising at an unprecedented pace, cybersecurity has moved beyond the realm of technical experts and IT departments. It has become a central public priority and a core area of public policy, affecting every dimension of national life. The expanding threat landscape—driven by AI-enabled attacks, ransomware, deepfakes, and infrastructure-targeted cybercrime—demands coordinated action at the societal, institutional, and governmental levels.
Cyber-attacks today are no longer confined to data theft or financial fraud; they have evolved into powerful instruments capable of crippling hospitals, halting academic institutions, shutting down businesses, manipulating democratic processes, and undermining national security frameworks.
Across the world, nations are increasingly acknowledging that cyber threats pose a direct risk to essential services, critical infrastructure, and public trust in digital systems. Experts caution that the modern threat landscape is rapidly expanding, with cyber-attacks now possessing the capacity to destabilise entire sectors and disrupt critical public functions.
A 2025 report titled ‘Cyber Threats Are Evolving Faster Than Defenses’ observes that adversaries are becoming “faster, more efficient, and more business-like than ever before,” leveraging advanced tools—including artificial intelligence—to scale and intensify their operations.
Numerous assessments have documented how cyber-attacks on hospitals have crippled medical systems, jeopardising patient care and delaying emergency response. Beyond the healthcare sector, aviation systems have emerged as a new frontier of vulnerability, where weaknesses in aircraft software, airline communication networks, and air-traffic management systems raise serious concerns about flight safety, operational continuity, and large-scale public risk.
Analysts further warn that ransomware and targeted attacks on critical infrastructure—such as power grids, water supply systems, public utilities, transportation networks, and aviation—represent systemic threats comparable to natural disasters in terms of their potential scale and societal impact. Collectively, these insights underscore a sobering reality: modern cyber-attacks are no longer limited to information compromise but possess the ability to disrupt national operations, weaken governance structures, and threaten the stability and resilience of entire societies.
As a result, cybersecurity has emerged not merely as a technological responsibility but as a core governance challenge, a societal obligation, and a central pillar of public policy.
Dr Lata Suresh
Governments around the world must now develop comprehensive regulatory frameworks to address AI-driven threats, safeguard personal data, strengthen cyber governance, and build long-term national cyber resilience.
References
1. Check Point Research (2024).
2. Check Point Research (2025).
3. SentinelOne (Cybersecurity 101 Report).
4. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (2024).
5. Fortinet (2024).
6. VikingCloud (2024).
7. DeepStrike Security Insights (2025)..
8. SecureFrame (2024–2025).
9. IBM Security – Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023–2024.
10. ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity).Threat Landscape Report.
11. World Economic Forum (WEF) – Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024.
