Dutch IT Channel – Number of cyber attacks in the Netherlands has grown above average

This is evident from figures from Check Point Software Technologies, a player in the field of AI-driven security. 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.

Significantly more attacks on hardware suppliers

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.

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.

Strong increase in the Netherlands

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.

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.”