The United States was the most targeted country, with 16% of the attacks specifically aimed at the government.
According to a recent report by Atlas VPN, there were 49 significant cyber incidents involving government agencies in the first half of 2023, a rise of 11% from the same time last year. The attacks affected government bodies in at least 27 countries across the world.
The United States was the most targeted country, with 16% of the attacks specifically aimed at the government. Other countries that were heavily targeted include Ukraine, Russia, and France.
The report, which is based on the findings of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), also found that Russian hackers were responsible for the majority of the attacks, followed by Chinese and Iranian cybercriminals.
There are a number of reasons why government agencies are being targeted by cyberattacks. One reason is that they often store a significant amount of sensitive data, such as personal information about individual citizens. This data can be sold on the dark web or held hostage until a ransom is paid.
Another reason is that government agencies are often involved in sensitive activities, such as national security or intelligence gathering. This makes them attractive targets for state-sponsored cyberespionage campaigns.
The report also found that hacktivists were responsible for a small number of attacks targeting government agencies. These attacks are often motivated by political or ideological goals.
The rise in cyberattacks targeting government agencies is a serious concern. These attacks can have a significant impact on the functioning of government, as well as the privacy and security of citizens. It is crucial for government agencies to take steps to improve their cybersecurity posture in order to protect themselves from these attacks.
Here are some tips for government agencies to improve their cybersecurity posture:
- Implement robust security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.
- Train employees on cybersecurity best practices.
- Conduct regular security assessments to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
- Back up data regularly to prevent data loss in the event of an attack.
- Work with a cybersecurity firm to develop and implement a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.
By taking these steps, government agencies can help to protect themselves from cyberattacks and keep sensitive data safe.