Africa Faces Highest Global Cyber-Attacks, Averaging 2,960 Weekly In Q2 2024 – Report

Africa experienced the highest average weekly cyber-attacks per organisation globally, with an average of 2,960 attacks in Q2 2024—a 37 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This information is according to research by Check Point, which released alarming statistics on Tuesday revealing a sharp 30 per cent year-over-year increase in global cyber-attacks during the second quarter of 2024.

According to Check Point, the surge documented in its latest research highlights a growing threat landscape driven by intensified digital transformation and sophisticated cybercriminal tactics, including AI and machine learning.

They stated that this increase in global cyberattacks also stems from hacker interest in Education and Research, which saw the most significant increase in cyber attacks in Q2 2024 compared to all other industries.

Globally, the Education/Research sector was the hardest hit, averaging 3,341 incidents per week, followed by the Government/Military sector with 2,084 weekly attacks and the Healthcare sector with 1,999.

Despite the high attack rates, Africa saw a notable decline in ransomware incidents, with only 1 per cent of reported cyber-attacks involving ransomware—a 55 per cent decrease compared to last year. However, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria remain among the most targeted countries, with South Africa experiencing a 4 per cent increase in weekly attacks per organisation.

Ransomware attacks globally increased by 13 per cent in Q2 2024, totalling around 1,200 incidents. North America was the most impacted, accounting for 58 per cent of all reported ransomware cases.

Latin America and Europe also saw significant increases in cyber incidents, with year-over-year rises of 53 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.

Check Point emphasised the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to tackle these growing threats. They recommended enhancing security postures with regular updates and multi-layered defences, educating employees on emerging threats, deploying advanced threat prevention technologies, adopting zero-trust architecture, and rigorous incident response planning.

According to Check Point, the global rise in cyber-attacks shows the need for proactive cybersecurity strategies to combat evolving threats effectively.

Organisations must prioritise cyber security, adopting customised strategies to effectively combat the evolving threat landscape. By implementing advanced security measures, fostering a culture of awareness, and preparing for potential incidents, businesses can better defend against the relentless tide of cyber threats,” They stated.

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