Europe is grappling with a growing cybersecurity threat. In 2024, global cyberattacks surged alarmingly by 44%. Organizations in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region faced an average of 1,679 cyberattacks weekly. As of December 2024, Poland ranked among the top European countries affected, with 1,644 attacks per week. Critical sectors in Poland, such as utilities, government, and military, experience over 2,000 weekly attacks, according to experts from Check Point Software during the CPX 2025 security conference in Vienna.
According to the Cyberattack Statistics 2025 report (Embroker, February 3, 2025), Poland recorded the highest number of cyberattacks worldwide in 2024. While Russia holds the highest risk on the World Cybercrime Index 2025, Poland experienced the most attacks, with nearly 100,000 hacking attempts last year. Analysts from Check Point attribute this surge to the escalation of cyber threats since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Poland’s utility sector faces 2,041 attacks weekly, exceeding the global average of 1,782. Similarly, the Polish financial sector, ranked as the third most targeted industry, endures 1,858 attacks per week, surpassing the global average of 1,727.
Global Cybercrime Origins and Resilience Rankings
Experts from Embroker highlight that much of the world’s cybercriminal activity originates in Russia, driven by organized crime, government involvement, and weak law enforcement. Other high-risk regions include Ukraine, North Korea, Nigeria, the United States, China, Romania, Brazil, and India. Meanwhile, countries with the strongest cybersecurity systems and preparedness include Finland, Norway, and Denmark.
Rising Costs of Cybercrime: Poland Increases Investment
Check Point experts revealed during the CPX conference that global cybercrime damages are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. In Poland, the cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $1.52 billion in 2024 to $2.02 billion by 2029. Supporting this trend, Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, announced a nearly $760 million increase in cybersecurity spending following high-profile attacks, such as those on the Polish Press Agency, to enhance the nation’s digital security.
Challenges of a Connected World and the Role of AI
The growing connectivity of the modern world—with 5.5 billion internet users, 15 billion IoT devices, widespread mobile access, and advancements in artificial intelligence—presents both opportunities and risks. Check Point Software experts emphasized that AI, especially generative AI (GenAI), is increasingly being used to accelerate cyberattacks, financial theft, and influence public opinion through disinformation campaigns and deepfake videos.
Hackers are leveraging AI to increase the frequency, sophistication, and variety of their attacks. Amazon alone detects nearly 1 billion cybersecurity threats daily.
“We are witnessing a new era of disinformation, where AI and social media algorithms play a pivotal role. From political deepfake attacks to campaigns that manipulate perceptions of individuals and institutions, we see an unprecedented escalation of AI-driven cyberwarfare aimed at undermining trust in public institutions, countries, and democratic processes,” said Wojciech Głażewski, director of Check Point Software Poland.
Education: The Most Attacked Sector in Europe
While government institutions are highly vulnerable across many countries, education and research remain the most targeted sectors in Europe, with an average of 4,247 weekly attacks per organization. In 2024 alone, cyberattacks on the education sector in Europe rose by 75%. For the past five years, education has been the most threatened sector globally, according to Check Point Software experts.
