Nigerian organisations experienced 4,388 attacks per week in the first quarter of 2025, according to Check Point Software. This was a 47 percent increase year-on-year (y-o-y), the cybersecurity platform revealed in its ‘Global Cyber Attack Report’ for Q1.
In Q1, global cyberattacks recorded a 47 percent surge, with organisations averaging 1,925 attacks per week. It noted that this spike highlights the growing challenge businesses face in maintaining robust cybersecurity postures amid a constantly evolving threat landscape.
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Africa recorded the highest average number of cyberattacks per organisation, with 3,286 weekly attacks, reflecting a 39 percent y-o-y increase. Other regions, such as the APAC region, recorded an average of 2,934 attacks, a 38 percent increase; and Latin America recorded a 108 percent increase, reaching 2,640 attacks per organisation per week.
Top African countries featured on the list included South Africa with 1,884 attacks per week, a 69 percent y-o-y increase; Angola with 4,727 attacks per week (a +32 percent rise); and Kenya with 4004 attacks per week on average (a +14 percent increase).
Sector-wise, the educational sector was the hardest hit in Q1 2025, averaging 4,484 attacks per organisation per week, a 73 percent increase from Q1 2024. Other sectors included the government sector with 2,678 attacks per organisation per week, and the telecommunications sector with 2,664 attacks per organisation weekly.
The cybersecurity platform noted that the growing reliance on digital infrastructure in these industries makes them prime targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities.
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Check Point Software further stated that ransomware attacks escalated in Q1, with a 126 percent jump to 2,289 reported incidents. North America accounted for most of these attacks, representing 62 percent, followed by Europe at 21 percent.
Lionel Dartnall, country manager SADC, Check Point Software Technologies, added, “The continued rise in cyber-attacks underscores the need for more robust security measures.
“Organisations must prioritise strengthening their cyber security postures, including deploying advanced threat detection systems, training staff on cyber security best practices, and ensuring rapid incident response capabilities.”
