6 Industries Most Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

The past few years have seen impressive advances in information security technology and practices. But by the same token, cybercrime has increased in both frequency and complexity. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the number of cyberattacks per organization rose by nearly 50%, with major sectors such as the government, education, and telecommunications being the most affected.

In today’s digital world, virtually all organizations are at risk of cyber threats. Some industries, however, are more susceptible than others. Read on to learn more about six of the most vulnerable industries and the types of cyberattacks they face nearly every day.

1. Small Businesses

Many small businesses don’t have the resources required to implement robust cybersecurity measures, which makes them an easier target for hacking and other forms of cybercrime. According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, small businesses were targeted nearly four times more than large organizations, with 12,195 confirmed breaches. 

One of the most prevalent threats that small businesses face is credential abuse, which involves unauthorized access to sensitive or private data. Phishing attacks are a common form of credential abuse, which occurs when a user is tricked into revealing information such as a password or bank account number. Malware may also result from credential abuse—attacks via computer viruses and other malicious software. 

Cyberattacks on small businesses can quickly disrupt, damage, or even cripple networks and devices, giving hackers a chance to exploit vulnerabilities and put both employees and customers at risk.

2. Healthcare

The number of cybersecurity attacks disrupting the healthcare sector continues to be a growing concern. According to Hipaajournal.com, hacking-related data breaches rose by 239% between January 2018 and September 2023, while ransomware attacks increased by 278% during the same period. In 2024, Minnesota-based Change Healthcare, Inc suffered one of the largest healthcare data breaches of all time, with the health information of more than $192 million individuals put at risk.

Ransomware—holding valuable data or access to services hostage—and related kinds of attacks are especially concerning for healthcare organizations since they can slow critical processes and put patient health and safety in jeopardy. Much of today’s patient care relies on electronically stored medical records and digitally powered imaging and diagnostic equipment. For this reason, clear cybersecurity policies and procedures should be put into place by IT leaders and practiced by all healthcare workers.

3. Government Agencies

With vast archives of highly confidential personal and organizational information, government agencies remain prime targets for cyberattacks. Between 2018 and 2024, 525 ransomware attacks were conducted against U.S. government organizations, which, in total, cost over $1 billion in downtime and recovery. These attacks often force government organizations to either pay exorbitant ransoms to hackers or devote time and money to rebuild their digital systems.

Law enforcement crackdowns on cyber threats and improved incident reporting have helped to stem the tide of government attacks, but they have also revealed that merely knowing a breach occurred does not prevent harm. For federal, state, and local government agencies, it still takes extensive remediation to restore services and trust.

4. Financial Institutions 

Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions are under constant threat due to the abundance of sensitive data they hold in addition to the regulatory compliance pressures they face. According to a 2025 report by data security company Varonis, financial services have nearly 450,000 exposed sensitive files—the highest in comparison to other industries. When files are left unguarded, cybercriminals can more effectively infiltrate servers with malicious code and then steal or otherwise compromise personal and financial information.

The increased use of mobile banking, AI-driven fraud schemes, and digital payment systems has expanded the sphere of cyberattacks significantly. Hackers and scam artists are now leveraging generative AI, supply chain weaknesses, and credential stuffing at a pace unseen in previous years.

5. Education

Educational institutions—from K–12 to higher education—continue to face mounting cyber threats as remote and hybrid learning environments become more common. The U.S. Department of Education states that school districts countrywide experience an average of five cyberattacks each week. Many teachers, students, and other faculty fall prey to cybercriminals due to outdated software systems and a lack of training to recognize social engineering schemes. 

While many global numbers for 2025 are still emerging, the trend seems clear: threat actors are increasingly targeting schools for ransomware, phishing, and other social engineering attacks because of perceived weaker defenses and the urgency that institutions face when systems slow down or go offline altogether.

6. Energy and Utility Companies

Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy and utilities remain at elevated risk. For example, following the high-profile 2021 shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, subsequent reports in 2025 continue to identify this industry as a common target for ransomware, supply chain attacks, and operational disruption. Since energy and utility systems are integral to national and economic security, even a brief outage or data breach can disrupt entire regions, underscoring the need for strong cybersecurity preparedness.

How Can I Protect My Organization from Cyberattacks?

As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations across all industries must proactively safeguard their data, operations, and reputation. Below are several foundational actions to consider.

• Limit access to information. Human error remains among the leading causes of security incidents. Restrict log-in permissions to only what employees need to perform their roles and use role-based access controls along with least-privilege practices.
• Perform regular vulnerability assessments. These assessments help identify weaknesses in systems, networks, and processes before attackers do, allowing your team to prioritize methods to shore up defenses.
• Install and maintain firewalls. Ensure that every network device, computer, server, and mobile endpoint is equipped with up-to-date protection tools and monitored continuously.
• Secure your Wi-Fi and network infrastructure. Use proper encryption and change administrative passwords periodically. Be sure to use both private and public networks as needed.
• Leverage artificial intelligence and automation in your security systems. Consider using AI and automated tools to detect abnormal behavior and quickly mitigate threats.
• Train your employees. Phishing, social engineering, and insider threats remain key cyber risks in 2025. Regular awareness training and clear security policies empower employees to act as the first line of defense.
• Invest in cybersecurity talent. The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to outpace supply, especially in roles like penetration testing, incident response, and cloud security. Consider how your educational programs and certification offerings can help attract and grow cybersecurity talent.

Begin Your Cybersecurity Career with WGU

Qualified cybersecurity candidates are needed for myriad roles in the above-mentioned industries and more besides. Online information technology degree programs like those offered at WGU are designed to arm students with the knowledge and skills they need to fill the cybersecurity talent gap.

WGU’s accredited bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity and information assurance—complete with several industry certifications included at no extra cost—could be your ideal starting point for an exciting career thwarting cybercrime.

Plus, get there faster through WGU’s competency-based learning model, which allows you to advance more quickly through subjects you already know, rewarding your prior knowledge and letting you save time and money on your way to graduation.

Learn more about WGU’s IT program offerings today.