India Becomes Second Most Targeted Nation for Cyber Attacks in 2024, Reports CloudSEK

India ranked as the second most targeted country for cyber attacks globally in 2024, with 95 organisations falling victim to data theft, according to a report by cyber intelligence firm CloudSEK. The ThreatLandscape Report 2024, which analysed data from the dark web, identified the United States as the most targeted nation with 140 attacks due to its economic power and digital infrastructure.

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Israel was the third most affected country, experiencing attacks on 57 entities, largely due to geopolitical tensions. In India, rapid digitisation made 95 entities vulnerable to cyber threats. The finance and banking sectors were hit hardest, with 20 victims. The government sector followed with 13 victims, while telecommunications had 12. Healthcare and pharma, along with education sectors, reported 10 and 9 victims respectively.

Cyber Attack Trends in India

Significant data breaches included the leak of 850 million records of Indian citizens from Hi-Tek Group. Additionally, customer data from Star Health and Allied Insurance was compromised. Telecommunications Consultants India also suffered a breach involving 2TB of data. These incidents highlight the growing threat landscape in India.

The report noted that there were 108 known ransomware incidents in India during the year. Lockbit emerged as the most active ransomware group, responsible for over 20 incidents. Killsec targeted more than 15 entities, while Ransomhub was linked to over 12 incidents.

Ransomware Groups Targeting India

The increasing number of cyber attacks underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across various sectors in India. As digital transformation continues, organisations must prioritise safeguarding their data against potential threats from cybercriminals.

The findings emphasise the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies to protect sensitive information and maintain trust among stakeholders. With cyber threats evolving rapidly, staying ahead of potential risks is crucial for businesses and government entities alike.