The global financial sector faced an alarming escalation of cyberattacks in 2025, with incidents more than doubling over the year, marking a pivotal shift in the nature of digital threats. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven warfare replaced traditional methods of cybercrime, as hackers launched sophisticated and ideologically motivated attacks. The surge in cyber incidents targeting banks and financial platforms highlights the growing vulnerability of the financial system, as it struggles to defend against increasingly complex threats.
According to Check Point’s 2025 Financial Threat Landscape Report, the number of cyber incidents targeting financial institutions surged by 115 percent, rising from 864 cases in 2024 to 1,858 in 2025. This sharp increase reflects a significant shift in the modus operandi of cybercriminals, who have moved from profit-driven crimes to disruptive, organized attacks designed to destabilize the financial ecosystem. The report highlights the emergence of “Cybercrime-as-a-Service” (CaaS) models, where criminal actors operate like businesses, offering tools and services to enable other cybercriminals to carry out attacks.
The report identifies three major trends that have significantly strained the defensive capabilities of financial institutions, even the most advanced ones. The first and most prominent trend was a 105 percent increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks, which aim to overwhelm and disable a targeted system, have evolved into a geopolitical tool. The report notes that hacktivists, rather than seeking financial gain, are using DDoS attacks to deny access to banking portals and payment interfaces. The attacks serve as a means of ideological expression, targeting nations whose financial influence is seen as significant. Rather than seeking to steal money, the goal of these attacks is to disrupt access to essential financial services.
The report points to Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the primary targets of these attacks. The targeted countries share a common feature: they are financial powerhouses that symbolize the strength of the global financial system. The selection of these countries as primary targets indicates a strategic approach to cyberattacks, where the aim is not simply monetary theft, but rather the disruption of financial systems that serve as pillars of global commerce.
The second major trend identified by Check Point was a 73 percent increase in data breaches and leaks. These breaches often involve stealthy intrusion campaigns, which exploit systemic weaknesses in cloud security and identity governance. The attacks are difficult to detect, allowing cybercriminals to remain undetected while exfiltrating sensitive data. The United States remained the top target for these types of attacks, but emerging hotspots have also been identified in India and Indonesia, both of which have seen significant increases in digital transaction volumes. These countries’ rapid digitalization has made them more attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to exploit gaps in their security frameworks.
The growing scale and sophistication of cyberattacks are a significant concern, particularly for the African financial sector. While the region has experienced fewer attacks compared to other parts of the world, it remains highly vulnerable as banks and financial platforms digitalize. The 2025 surge in cyber incidents serves as a wake-up call for African banks, which must rapidly improve their cyber defenses to withstand the increasing threats. The report underscores the need for financial institutions across the globe, particularly in emerging markets, to prioritize cybersecurity in their operations.
The implications of these cyberattacks are far-reaching. Financial institutions face not only the risk of financial loss but also reputational damage, as customers and businesses become increasingly wary of the security of their digital transactions. The shift towards AI-driven attacks further complicates matters, as these sophisticated threats require advanced defensive strategies and technological innovation to counter.
In conclusion, the 115 percent rise in cyberattacks against financial institutions in 2025 signals a new era in cybersecurity threats. With AI-powered cybercrime, financial institutions face not only the challenge of protecting their assets but also ensuring the stability and integrity of the global financial system. The dramatic increase in DDoS attacks and data breaches, along with the emergence of CaaS, underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats and the pressing need for enhanced security measures across the financial sector.
