If you’re interested in government hacking statistics, read the article to learn more.
With the increasing advancement of technology, governments worldwide are working hard to protect their digital infrastructure from cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, the hacker is becoming increasingly sophisticated in efforts to breach these defenses.
In fact, there’s a 95% increase in such attacks on government agencies this year.
Therefore, everyone needs to understand the latest government hacking stats.
That way, you’ll be able to comprehend the scale and impact of such cyber conflicts.
In this article, we’ll shed light on the ever-evolving government hacking stats for the world and the United States. So, let’s get started!
Key Statistics
- The average data breach cost for a United States government agency is $4.24 million.
- Over 10,000 hacking incidents against government agencies in the US were reported in 2022.
- The budget of the US government for cybersecurity in 2023 is $10.9 billion.
- 14% of all cyberattacks in the US target government agencies.
- The number of cyberattacks against governments worldwide increased by 25% in 2023.
- 80% of cyberattacks on governments are for gaining money.
- More than 236.1 million cyber crimes were reported against government agencies worldwide.
- Cyberhackers primarily target government bodies.
US Government Hacking Statistics
1. The Average Cost of A Data Breach for A United States Government Agency Is $4.24 Million.
According to the latest data, the average data breach cost for United States government agencies is around $4.24 million.
It encompasses various factors, including incident response, remediation, notification and legal expenses, reputational damage, regulatory compliance, and business disruption.
It has increased by over 2.6% from last year.
It’s important to remember that the average cost of a data breach may fluctuate over time, and organizations should stay vigilant in implementing effective cybersecurity measures to lower the risks and potential financial implications associated with data breaches.
(Source: IBM)
2. Phishing Is the Most Prevalent Cyber Attack on All US Government Agencies.
Phishing continues to pose the most prevalent threat to US government agencies, with an alarming increase in successful attacks.
It involves impersonating trusted entities to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
However, the sophistication of phishing attacks has evolved over the years, making it more challenging for agencies, even the government ones, to detect and prevent them effectively.
Apart from Phishing, the next two most common attacks are malware and ransomware.
These cyber attacks exploit vulnerabilities in software systems, enabling unauthorized access, data theft, and even the encryption of critical files.
(Source: CISA)
3. Over 10,000 Hacking Incidents Against Government Agencies in The US Were Reported in 2022.
In 2022, around 10,000 hacking incidents targeting government agencies in the United States were reported.
It’s an alarming surge in cyber attacks since it highlights the increasing vulnerability of crucial institutions to malicious actors.
Moreover, such attacks can have severe consequences, jeopardizing national security, compromising sensitive data, and disrupting essential services.
So, governments must strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and invest in robust measures to safeguard their systems and networks.
(Source: HackerOne)
4. The US Government Is the Most Targeted in The World.
The US government holds a prominent position as the primary target of cyber-attacks globally.
Hackers from various nations consistently make relentless efforts to breach sensitive US government data, encompassing military secrets, intelligence information, and financial records.
If successful, these cyber-attacks can be quite harmful to both the US government and its citizens.
Despite the American government’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity, it remains a prime target for hackers.
So, it’s important for the US government to continue its investment in cybersecurity and educate employees about the risks posed by cyber-attacks.
(Source: GCN)
5. The Average Cost of A Cyber Attack on The American Government Is Around $10 Million.
Cyber attacks on the American government costs about $10 million on average. It includes expenses for fixing the damage, covering lost productivity, and dealing with legal matters.
These attacks can be devastating, and unfortunately, they’re happening more and more often.
Moreover, the American government is trying to improve its cybersecurity, but it’s still a big target for hackers.
So, there’s a lot of work to do to strengthen defenses, but the government is determined to face this challenge and protect itself and its citizens.
(Source: Chief Health Care Executive)
6. Among All the American Government Agencies, the Department of Defense Is the Most Targeted One.
The Department of Defense (DoD) is the top target among American government agencies since it holds a treasure trove of sensitive data like military secrets, intelligence, and financial records.
Hackers from all corners of the globe are always on the prowl, trying to breach this information to gain the upper hand against the United States.
It’s a serious deal; the DoD is like a bullseye for these hackers.
Moreover, the DoD is closely followed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice in terms of most targeted US government agencies.
Don’t worry; the US government is fully aware and actively working to safeguard its valuable data from these cyber threats.
(Source: Defense Govt)
7. The Budget of The US Government for Cybersecurity in 2023 Is $10.9 Billion.
This year, the US government has set aside $10.9 billion for cybersecurity, which is around a 13% increase from last year.
This budget aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of federal US agencies such as the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice.
It will also be used to create new cybersecurity technologies and provide training to federal employees on the best practices for cybersecurity.
It’s a substantial investment to protect the US government’s digital assets and ensure the information stays safe from all cyber threats.
(Source: Security Week)
8. 14% of All Cyber Attacks in The US Target Government Agencies.
According to the latest 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, a whopping 14% of cyber attacks in the US are aimed at government agencies.
That’s a notable jump from the previous year, where only 10% of cyber attacks targeted the government.
The rise can be attributed to various factors, such as hackers becoming more skilled, government data gaining significance, and government agencies relying more on technology.
So, it’s a serious situation where cyber attacks against government agencies are on the rise, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to keep our valuable information safe.
(Source: CSIS)
9. 80% of US States Will Have a Documented and Approved Cybersecurity Strategy in 2023.
According to the latest government hacking stats in 2023, around 80% of the states in America now have an official cybersecurity strategy in place.
That’s a noticeable increase compared to 2018 when the number stood at only 68%.
Additionally, the report highlights that almost 92% of states allocated a specific cybersecurity budget in 2023, showing an improvement from 82% in 2018.
These statistics are encouraging as they demonstrate that states are giving due importance to the growing threat of cyber attacks.
However, there is still progress to be made.
The report reveals that only 58% of states currently have a plan to manage cybersecurity risks, and only 42% have developed a plan to respond to cybersecurity incidents.
These areas offer opportunities for further enhancement and preparedness.
(Source: NASCIO)
Worldwide Government Hacking Statistics
10. The Number of Cyber Attacks Against Governments Worldwide Will Increase by 25% in 2023.
The latest 2023 report from the CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) reveals that there has been a 25% rise in cyber attacks targeting government bodies in 2023.
The report also highlights that the most prevalent type of cyber attack governments currently face is ransomware attacks.
These government hacking stats show the growing threat and impact of cyber attacks on government bodies worldwide.
Therefore, in the coming years, it’s highly likely that we’ll witness a significant increase in such threats on government entities.
(Source: CISA)
11. Ransomware Attacks Targeting Government Entities Constitute Around 4% of The Total Global Attacks.
Regarding ransomware attacks, governments are targeted in 4% of all global attacks.
While this may appear relatively small, it should not be underestimated due to all the potential implications involved.
Moreover, government bodies at various levels are entrusted with handling critical and sensitive data that can have far-reaching consequences if stolen, compromised, or corrupted.
A ransomware attack on a government entity can cause severe devastation. Of course, there’s the huge financial burden of paying the ransom, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Apart from that, it also includes the cost of damage to reputation, lost productivity, as well as legal liability.
(Source: Apwg)
12. 80% of Cyber Attacks on Governments Are for Gaining Money.
Cyber attacks on governments are motivated by various factors, and it’s not all about the money.
Although financial gain accounts for approximately 80% of these attacks, there are other compelling reasons driving such malicious activities.
A significant percentage, around 18%, revolves around pursuing valuable secrets.
In addition, 1% of these attacks stem from individuals or groups driven by their beliefs, ideologies, or agendas.
That’s not all, and there are some instances where individuals or groups carry out cyber attacks out of frustration or anger towards the government, which accounts for around 1%.
(Source: Verizon)
13. The Average Cost of A Data Breach Jumps from $1.93 to $2.07 Million in Governmental Public Sectors.
The cost of data breaches in governmental public sectors has seen a significant rise of 7.25%.
On average, the total expenses have jumped from $1.93 million to $2.07 million.
This increase can be attributed to several factors, such as the rising complexity of cyber attacks, the growing significance of government data, and the increasing dependence of government agencies on technology.
However, government agencies have the power to lower the risk of data breaches by adopting a wide range of effective measures.
These include implementing strong cybersecurity measures, educating employees about the best cybersecurity practices, and fostering a culture of information sharing regarding threats.
(Source: IBM)
14. More than 236.1 Million Cyber Crimes Were Reported Against Government Agencies Worldwide.
The 2022 Cybersecurity Report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dropped a bombshell.
As per the report, government agencies worldwide were hit with a staggering 236.1 million cyber crimes in the first half of 2022.
That’s a significant jump from the 100 million cyber crimes reported in the same period of the previous year.
It turns out that the top culprits behind cyber crimes were criminal organizations, which are followed closely by nation-states and hacktivist groups.
Cyber attackers, however, had diverse motives driving their actions. The most common ones were financial gain, espionage, and sabotage.
(Source: AAG IT Services)
15. Greece Topped the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI) in January 2023.
The National Cyber Security Index (NCSI) is a ranking system that evaluates countries’ cybersecurity capabilities.
It considers various factors, such as the level of investment in cybersecurity, the expertise of the cybersecurity workforce, and the effectiveness of cybersecurity laws and regulations.
In January 2023, Greece claimed the coveted top spot on the NCSI with an impressive score of 96.10.
Lithuania, Belgium, Estonia, and the Czech Republic joined Greece in the top five of the NCSI in January 2023.
All of them secured coveted spots and garnered high scores on the NCSI.
These top five countries have established themselves as leaders in the field of cybersecurity, showcasing their strong commitment and remarkable capabilities in safeguarding their digital domains.
(Source: AAG IT Services)
16. Government Agencies Reported More than 20,000 Cybersecurity Incidents in 2021.
It’s one of the harsh realities that government agencies face in constant hacking attempts.
In fact, the year 2023 has already witnessed several high-profile cyber attacks targeting government agencies, with the SolarWinds hack, the Microsoft Exchange hack, and the Colonial Pipeline hack making headlines.
According to some global government hacking statistics, government agencies reported around 20,000 cybersecurity incidents in 2021 alone.
And out of these incidents, more than 5,000 were classified as significant, which indicates their potential to cause substantial disruption or damage.
When it comes to the most common type of cyber attack against government agencies, phishing attacks take the lead, just like it does in the United States.
(Source: AAG IT Services)
17. Cyberhackers Primarily Target Government Bodies.
Cybersecurity breaches pose a significant danger to businesses and organizations worldwide, regardless of their size.
In 2023, approximately 95% of all cybersecurity breaches occurred in the primary sector, that is, government bodies.
The sector attracts the attention of hackers due to the abundance of personal and sensitive information they possess.
It includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, and computer passwords.
For instance, the government stores valuable data such as citizens’ tax records, voting records, and military service records.
(Source: Zippia)
18. Around 72% of Governments Worldwide Attacked by Ransomware Have Encrypted Their Data.
Ransomware attacks pose an increasingly serious threat to governments around the globe.
In 2023, almost 72% of government agencies targeted by ransomware experienced the encryption of their data.
It means that most hackers held their data hostage and demanded a ransom to unlock it.
The consequences of such attacks can be devastating.
When a government agency loses access to its data, it often hampers its ability to deliver vital services to its citizens.
In extreme cases, ransomware attacks have even resulted in the complete breakdown of entire governments.
(Source: SOPHOS)
FAQs
What Are the Most Common Types of Government Hacking Attacks?
Government hacking attacks encompass a wide range of techniques and strategies.
Some of the most common ones include:
Phishing Attacks: It’s one of the most common types of government hacking attacks where cybercriminals send fraudulent emails which appears to come from a legal and legitimate source.
Ransomware Attacks: Another common cyberattack is ransomware attacks. In such an attack, hackers encrypt government data and demand a certain payment sum to decrypt it.
DDoS Attacks: In such types of cyberattacks, the hackers flood a government website with so much traffic that it becomes inaccessible to legitimate users.
Data Breaches: These attacks have a significant impact on government bodies. That’s because it involves illegal access to citizens’ sensitive data, such as pan card details and more.
What Are the Most Common Targets of Government Hacking Attacks?
The most common targets of government hacking attacks in 2023 include governmental agencies, defense organizations, intelligence services, political entities, and research institutions.
Moreover, it also includes critical infrastructure like transportation systems and energy grids.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Government Hacking Attacks?
Here are a few things government can do to prevent or lower government hacking attacks:
Raising awareness: Government bodies must raise awareness about cyberattacks among employees and citizens.
That way, they can protect their employees from phishing attacks.
Investing in cybersecurity: Investing in cybersecurity is another way to protect government bodies from being hacked.
It includes implementing security measures, hiring security experts, and conducting security audits.
Working with the private sector: Governments should collaborate with private companies to share information about threats and develop solutions.
It’s a smart move to boost the country’s cybersecurity.
Working together, they can ensure everyone’s protection and stay ahead of the hackers.
Conclusion
That’s it for today.
In this resource, we’ve covered the most crucial government hacking statistics for 2024 in detail.
With the increasing cyberattacks on government agencies, knowing the figures and facts can give you a deep insight.