The Netherlands experiences a 12% increase in cyber attacks on organizations in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a global increase of 5%

Research from Check Point Software Technologies, a leading provider of AI-driven, cloud-based cybersecurity platforms, indicates that the first quarter of 2024 has seen an intriguing shift in the landscape of cyber attacks, both in terms of frequency and nature of attacks. the threats. The research shows that The Netherlands has seen an increase in the average number of weekly cyber attacks that is more than twice as large as the global trend. In the Netherlands, the education and research sector is the most targeted sector with an average of 1301 attacks per week.

In Q1 2024, Check Point Research (CPR) saw the average number of cyber attacks per organization per week increase to 1308. That is an increase of 5% compared to Q1 2023. The Education/Research sector was hit hard with an average of 2454 attacks per organization per week, topping the list, followed by the Government/Military (1692 attacks per week) and Healthcare (1605 attacks per organization) sectors. These top three indicate an alarming vulnerability in sectors that are crucial to the functioning of society.

However, there has also been a substantial year-on-year increase in attacks on the hardware vendor sector, with a 37% increase, underscoring a strategic shift in target preference by cybercriminals. The hardware sector’s increasing dependence on IoT and smart devices makes these vendors lucrative targets for cybercriminals.

Europe saw strongest increase in ransomware attacks (64%); manufacturing sector was most affected worldwide (+96%)

In Q1 2024, North America was the most affected by ransomware attacks, accounting for 59% of the nearly 1,000 published ransomware attacks, followed by Europe (24%) and APAC (12%). The largest increase in reported attacks compared to Q1 2023 was seen in Europe, with a significant increase of 64%. This significant increase can be attributed to factors such as the increased digitalization of services and regulatory environments that can make organizations more vulnerable or visible as targets. In contrast, North America saw a 16% increase, indicating a continued focus by attackers on this region. The manufacturing sector was the most affected by ransomware globally with 29% of published attacks and a 96% increase year-on-year, followed by healthcare with a 63% increase year-on-year. The communications sector saw the largest year-on-year increase of 177%, likely due to the rapid digital transformation and critical role of this sector.

The Netherlands has seen a more than double increase in cyber attacks

For the Netherlands, Check Point Research notes an increase of 12% compared to Q1 2023, with an average of 692 attacks per week. Dutch companies are attacked most often from the US (49%), the Netherlands (17%) and Germany (7%). The education sector is the most targeted with an average of 1301 attacks per week; The Netherlands is thus following the global trend. Healthcare comes in second with an average of 1,173 attacks per week and government/military institutions come in third with an average of 1,077 attacks per week.

Dutch companies appear to be the most vulnerable to Remote Code Execution

The most common type of vulnerability is Remote Code Execution, accounting for 54% of all vulnerabilities in the Netherlands. An RCE attack is an attack in which an attacker can execute malicious code on an organization’s computers or network. The ability to execute attacker-controlled code can be used for a variety of purposes, including deploying additional malware or stealing sensitive data.

Zahier Madhar, security engineer expert at Check Point: “We see strong shifts both at country level and at European level. On the one hand, the number of cyber attacks in the Netherlands continues to rise more sharply than worldwide and on the other hand, in Europe we see an increase of no less than 64% in reported ransomware attacks. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent an urgent call for organizations across all industries to strengthen their defenses and prioritize cybersecurity, and underscore the need for adaptive, AI-driven defense strategies. The increase in attacks on specific industries and regions, coupled with the complexity of ransomware tactics, highlights the need for a comprehensive and preventative approach to cybersecurity. As we navigate this challenging terrain, awareness, alertness and innovation in defense strategies remain our strongest allies.”

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About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading provider of AI-powered, cloud-based cybersecurity platforms protecting more than 100,000 organizations worldwide. Check Point is harnessing the power of AI everywhere to improve cybersecurity efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading capture rates that proactively anticipate threats and enable smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workplace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Core Services for collaborative security operations and services.

About Check Point Research

Check Point Research provides industry-leading cyber threat intelligence to Check Point Software customers and the greater intelligence community. The research team collects and analyzes global cyberattack data stored on ThreatCloud to keep hackers at bay and ensure all Check Point solutions are updated with the latest protections. The research team consists of more than 100 analysts and researchers who collaborate with other security providers, law enforcement and various CERTs.