Australia Hit by One Cyberattack Per Second as AI-Powered Threats Surge

Australia is facing an unprecedented cyber crisis, with one attack hitting every second and over 1,100 data breaches reported in 2024—a 25% jump from 2023. The country now sees 732 breaches per 100 people, far exceeding the global average of 285.

AI-powered attacks are driving much of this surge. More than 50% of Australian businesses experienced cyberattacks in 2024, with 36% being AI-generated—higher rates than the US and UK. Cybercriminals are using AI for sophisticated phishing campaigns, with over 30 million attempts recorded, and even deploying voice-cloning technology for social engineering.

Supply chain vulnerabilities compound the problem, with 38% of breaches stemming from cybersecurity incidents. Healthcare and critical infrastructure remain prime targets through compromised third-party vendors.

Source: Cyble