India has emerged as the second most targeted country for cyberattacks globally in 2024, with 95 entities falling victim to data breaches, according to CloudSEK’s ThreatLandscape Report 2024. The United States topped the list with 140 attacks, driven by its economic power and advanced digital infrastructure, while Israel ranked third with 57 incidents, largely attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The report highlights the growing vulnerability of Indian organizations amid rapid digitization. Cyber attackers primarily targeted the finance and banking sectors, which accounted for 20 victims. The government sector reported 13 incidents, followed by telecommunications with 12. The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, along with the education sector, also faced significant threats, with 10 and 9 victims, respectively.

Several high-profile breaches underscored the scale of the problem. Notable incidents included the leak of 850 million records from Hi-Tek Group, the exposure of customer data from Star Health and Allied Insurance, and the theft of 2TB of sensitive information from Telecommunications Consultants India. These breaches reflect the pressing need for enhanced data protection measures across key sectors.

India also witnessed a surge in ransomware attacks, with 108 incidents reported during the year. Lockbit emerged as the most active ransomware group, responsible for over 20 attacks, followed by Killsec with 15 incidents and Ransomhub with 12. The report highlights the escalating threat of ransomware and the critical importance of strengthening cybersecurity defenses to mitigate these risks.

As India continues its journey toward digital transformation, the findings emphasize the urgent need for robust cybersecurity frameworks and proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information and infrastructure.