Healthcare Sector Leads in Cyberattacks; Education and Manufacturing Follow Closely, Says Report
Synopsis
A new report reveals that the healthcare sector is the most targeted by cyberattacks, with education and manufacturing accounting for nearly half of all incidents in India. This alarming trend underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across these vital sectors.
Key Takeaways
Healthcare sector is the most targeted by cyberattacks.
Education and manufacturing sectors account for 47% of incidents.
3.79 million detections recorded in healthcare.
Trojans and file infectors make up 70% of attacks.
Ransomware, though less than 1%, has severe impacts.
New Delhi, March 23 (NationPress) The healthcare industry has been the most targeted by cybersecurity threats, while the education and manufacturing sectors combined accounted for almost 47 percent of all reported incidents in India from October 2024 to September 2025, according to a recent report.
Authored by Seqrite, the enterprise security division of Quick Heal Technologies Ltd., the report revealed that the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors alone faced a staggering 3.79 million detections, representing 14.24 percent of the overall cyberattacks in the nation.
Indian healthcare facilities like hospitals and clinics experienced an unyielding surge of cyberattacks, making their networks prime targets for data theft, extortion, and service disruption, the report detailed.
The findings highlighted that data-rich, constantly connected environments are increasingly becoming attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Nearly 70 percent of these attacks involved Trojans and file infectors, with remote access Trojans and loader-based malware specifically targeting pharmaceutical research and development data, as well as clinical trial records, indicating clear motives of espionage and intellectual property theft.
While ransomware represented less than 1 percent of total detections, its operational impact was disproportionately severe. Ransomware incidents soared past 0.81 million, peaking in January 2025 with 185 incidents and 113,000 detections. Many of these attacks exploited phishing, cracked software, exposed remote desktop services, or supply chain vulnerabilities, mirroring the routes used to infiltrate hospital systems and disrupt patient care, the report noted.
Unlike other sensitive data, patient records are permanent and cannot simply be reset. Medical histories, diagnostic reports, prescription records, insurance information, and personally identifiable details cannot be 'reissued' following a breach, making healthcare data extremely valuable in underground markets and extortion schemes.
The report cautioned that a compromised radiology system can delay essential diagnoses, while manipulated lab results can adversely affect treatment. Furthermore, exfiltrated clinical trial data can jeopardize extensive research investments.
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Point of View
This report highlights a pressing concern in the cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the vulnerability of critical sectors such as healthcare. The data indicates a trend that necessitates urgent attention from policymakers and industry leaders to safeguard sensitive information and maintain trust in essential services.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sectors are most affected by cyberattacks?
The healthcare sector is the most affected, with education and manufacturing accounting for nearly 47% of all cyberattacks in India.
How many cyberattacks were recorded in the healthcare sector?
The healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors alone recorded approximately 3.79 million detections.
What types of malware are commonly used in these attacks?
Trojans and file infectors comprised nearly 70% of the attacks, with remote access Trojans targeting sensitive data.
What is the impact of ransomware on healthcare?
Despite representing less than 1% of total detections, ransomware has a disproportionate operational impact, with significant incidents reported.
Why is healthcare data so valuable to cybercriminals?
Healthcare data is permanent and cannot be easily reset, making it highly valuable for extortion and fraud in underground markets.
