US Responsible for 44% of Cyber Attacks with Public Administration Targeted for Financial Gain

The global cost of cybercrime is surging toward an estimated $15.63 trillion by 2029, with current losses already exceeding $10.5 trillion. Yet, many organisations remain ill‑equipped to counter the growing threat.

A new report highlights that 59% of businesses suffered a successful cyberattack in the past year. In comparison, nearly 20% of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) still operate without any cybersecurity technology.

Modern factors such as remote work, cloud computing, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) have expanded the attack surface, creating more entry points for threat actors.

According to analysis of the Cyber Events Database (CED), trends indicate that cybercriminals are exploiting these technologies to execute faster, more sophisticated campaigns aimed at financial Gain.

United States Tops Global Attack Chart

Between 2024 and 2025, the United States accounted for 44% of all reported cyberattacks, a total of 646 incidents, making it the most targeted country globally.

The UK followed with 72 attacks, while Russia, Canada, and France rounded out the top five. Experts note that advanced digital adoption and high-value infrastructure in these nations make them prime targets.

The public administration sector was particularly affected, registering 308 attacks in one year. The healthcare and finance sectors followed, reporting 200 and 178 cases, respectively.

These verticals handle sensitive data, such as citizen records, financial credentials, and medical information, which continue to draw the attention of cyber extortion groups.

Ransomware remains the leading threat vector, often delivered via phishing campaigns or exploited vulnerabilities in cloud services and unpatched IoT devices.

The study also points to the rise of Ransomware‑as‑a‑Service (RaaS), which enables even inexperienced actors to launch large‑scale attacks through subscription‑based models.

Financial Gain Drives 70% of Global Attacks.

Out of 1,468 tracked incidents, 1,013 were financially motivated, underscoring that monetary profit continues to dominate attacker behaviour.

Only 145 were linked to activism or protest, and 111 to political espionage, revealing that most cybercriminals are strategically focused on revenue generation.

Generative AI has further accelerated the development of attacks. Tools that once required months of coding can now generate phishing scripts, evasive malware, and deepfakes within minutes.

This automation lowers the skill barrier and sharply increases attack frequency. At the same time, experts emphasise that AI plays a dual role: it also strengthens defences through machine learning‑based anomaly detection and predictive threat intelligence.

Coupled with Zero Trust security frameworks, supply chain vetting, and continuous employee awareness programmes, businesses can significantly reduce their cyber‑risk exposure.

While the volume of attacks is rising, organisations that embrace proactive, AI‑driven security measures rather than reactive ones will be best placed to withstand the next generation of global cyber threats.

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