Global Cyber Attacks Surge 21% in Q2 2025, Education Sector Most Targeted

Global cyber attacks soared by 21% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to a new report by Check Point Research. On average, organizations faced 1,984 weekly attacks during the period, up significantly from previous years. The education sector was the hardest hit, with institutions experiencing an average of 4,388 attacks per week, a 31% year-on-year increase, revealing deep vulnerabilities in digital security systems used by schools and universities.

Africa emerged as the most targeted region globally, with organizations suffering an average of 3,365 weekly attacks, a 14% year-on-year rise. Asia-Pacific and Latin America followed closely, recording 2,874 and 2,803 weekly attacks respectively. Though Europe didn’t lead in attack volume, it recorded the steepest year-on-year growth at 22%, which researchers attribute to geopolitical instability, valuable data repositories, and fragmented cybersecurity regulations across the continent.

Beyond education, other critical sectors also faced rising threats. Government agencies encountered an average of 2,632 attacks weekly (a 26% YoY increase), while the telecommunications sector experienced a sharp 38% surge with 2,612 weekly threats per organization. The growing digital footprint of these industries, coupled with high-value data, continues to attract cybercriminal activity.

The report highlighted a sharp uptick in ransomware attacks targeting industries such as business services, industrial manufacturing, and construction. These sectors, which often rely on legacy infrastructure and lack advanced threat detection systems, remain vulnerable to financially motivated cyber extortion.

Analysts warn that unless proactive security investments are made — especially in education and public services — the trend of escalating cyber threats will persist. The report underscores the urgency for governments and private organizations to strengthen digital defenses and prioritize cybersecurity education and compliance across all sectors.

Source: Business day