Cyberattacks Target Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing

Healthcare Sector Tops Cyberattack Targets in India: Seqrite Report​

New Delhi, March 23 — India’s healthcare sector faced the highest number of cybersecurity attacks between October 2024 and September 2025, according to a report released by Seqrite, part of Quick Heal Technologies Ltd..

The report found that while healthcare led in attack volume, the education and manufacturing sectors together accounted for nearly 47% of all cyber threat detections in the country during the period.

3.79 Million Cyberattacks Target Healthcare and Pharma​

The healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors recorded 3.79 million cyberattack detections, making up 14.24% of total incidents nationwide.

According to the report, hospitals and clinics across India faced a “relentless wave” of cyberattacks, turning healthcare systems into high-value targets for data theft, extortion, and operational disruption.

The always-on nature of healthcare infrastructure and the vast amount of sensitive patient data make the sector particularly vulnerable.

Trojans and Malware Dominate Cyber Threat Landscape​

The report highlighted that Trojans and file infectors accounted for nearly 70% of all cyberattacks.

Advanced threats such as remote access Trojans (RATs) and loader-based malware were increasingly used to infiltrate pharmaceutical research and development systems and steal clinical trial data.

These patterns indicate a strong motive of corporate espionage and intellectual property theft within the sector.

Ransomware Attacks Low in Volume but High in Impact​

Although ransomware accounted for less than 1% of total detections, its impact was disproportionately severe.

The report recorded over 0.81 million ransomware detections, with a peak in January 2025 that saw 185 incidents and more than 113,000 detections.

Many of these attacks exploited common vulnerabilities such as phishing emails, cracked software, exposed remote desktop services, and supply chain weaknesses—methods frequently used to breach hospital systems and disrupt patient care.

Why Healthcare Data Is a Prime Target​

Unlike financial data, which can be reset or replaced, patient health records are permanent. This makes them highly valuable on underground markets and attractive for long-term exploitation.

Stolen medical data is often used for fraud, blackmail, and profiling, increasing the risks for both individuals and institutions.

Cyberattacks Pose Serious Risks to Patient Care and Research​

The report warned that cyber incidents in healthcare can have real-world consequences beyond financial loss.

A compromised radiology system can delay diagnoses, while manipulated lab results may lead to incorrect treatments. Additionally, stolen clinical trial data can undermine years of research and investment in the pharmaceutical sector.

Rising Need for Strong Cybersecurity in Healthcare​

The findings underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity frameworks across India’s healthcare ecosystem.

As cyber threats grow in sophistication, protecting sensitive medical data and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services have become critical priorities for both public and private institutions.