Cyber Threat Landscape: A Year in Review of Nation-State Cybersecurity Risks

Cyber attacks and data breaches have become a regular feature in the news cycle. Incidents such as the compromise of Qantas Frequent Flyers’ in-flight meal preferences and the exposure of sensitive medical data from various healthcare operators highlight the ongoing threat. These breaches indicate that cyber crime is a persistent issue that society must contend with. In the background of these everyday cyber crimes, nation-state hackers are actively engaged in stealing data and funds for their governments.

According to CrowdStrike’s 2025 Threat Hunting Report, there has been a significant increase in nation-state cyber activity over the past year, surpassing the rise in financially motivated cyber crime. While cyber crime continues to escalate, the scale of nation-state activity is particularly alarming. The technology sector remains the primary target for hackers, focusing on intellectual property, corporate secrets, and defence-related intelligence. Notably, while general cyber criminal activity targeting the technology sector has decreased, nation-state attacks in this area surged by 99 per cent year on year.

Telecommunications have also seen a dramatic increase, with nation-state instructions rising by 130 per cent. Consulting and personal services experienced a 126 per cent increase in similar attacks. Government entities have not been spared, facing significant threats as well. The landscape of cyber threats continues to evolve, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures across all sectors. 

Categories: Cyber Crime, Nation-State Hacking, Data Breaches 

Tags: Cyber Attacks, Data Breaches, Cyber Crime, Nation-State, Technology Sector, Intellectual Property, Telecommunications, Consulting, Government Entities, Healthcare