Cybersecurity incidents in India have risen by approximately 85% [1] over the last two years.
This surge highlights a growing vulnerability in India's digital infrastructure as the country rapidly expands its internet adoption and digital services. The increase in the attack surface has made critical sectors more susceptible to breaches, forcing a shift in how the state monitors and defends its networks.
Artificial intelligence is playing a dual role in this landscape. Cybersecurity experts said AI tools are enabling attackers to launch more sophisticated and automated strikes. Simultaneously, these same technologies are being integrated into defense systems to improve the speed and accuracy of threat detection.
Certain sectors have borne the brunt of these attacks. According to reports on statements from the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the banking and healthcare sectors have been primary targets. Data indicates these sectors faced between 900,000 [3] and 972,000 [2] cyber incidents during 2025 and early 2026.
The rise in activity is linked to the proliferation of digital services across the country. As more citizens and businesses migrate to online platforms, the opportunities for malicious actors to exploit security gaps increase, creating a constant race between offensive AI and defensive measures.
CERT-In continues to monitor these threats to mitigate the impact on national security and economic stability. Experts said the scale of the incidents in healthcare and finance underscores a significant need for updated security protocols to protect sensitive citizen data.
“Cybersecurity incidents in India have risen by approximately 85% over the last two years.”
The escalation of cyberattacks in India reflects a broader global trend where AI lowers the barrier for sophisticated hacking while increasing the scale of attacks. The concentration of threats in banking and healthcare suggests that attackers are prioritizing high-value data and critical infrastructure. For India, this necessitates a transition from reactive security to AI-driven proactive defense to protect its rapidly digitizing economy.
