Ransomware: Who's at Risk in 2025?

Ransomware is evolving and with it certain sectors are becoming more vulnerable. Healthcare remains a prime target with outdated systems and interconnected devices making hospitals and clinics especially susceptible. These organizations, under pressure to maintain operations, often end up paying ransoms to restore critical access. Similarly, critical infrastructure like energy grids, water systems, and transportation networks is highly vulnerable. Aging systems and the interconnection of operational and IT technologies provide multiple entry points for attackers. With the rise of double extortion tactics, which threaten further damage if ransom demands aren’t met, the stakes are even higher.

Manufacturing and supply chains are also increasingly targeted. Cybercriminals infiltrate third-party vendors to access larger organizations, disrupting global networks that rely on outdated systems. The finance sector, always a top target, faces a growing threat as attackers not only encrypt but also exfiltrate sensitive financial data, using the threat of leaks to raise ransom demands. Education, with its limited cybersecurity resources, is another target, especially during critical periods like exams when disruptions have a larger impact. Legal and professional services firms are seeing more attacks as well, with their stores of confidential client data making them highly attractive to cybercriminals.

Government agencies, dealing with vast amounts of sensitive information and critical public services, are constantly under attack. Their reliance on outdated systems and complex networks makes them easy targets for both financially motivated and politically driven cybercriminals. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) also face a surge in ransomware attacks. With fewer resources to dedicate to cybersecurity, these businesses are particularly vulnerable and many are more likely to pay ransoms to avoid operational disruptions.

In 2025 no sector is immune. Whether in healthcare, critical infrastructure, finance, education, or SMBs, ransomware is a pervasive threat. Organizations must adopt proactive, multi-layered defense strategies to stay ahead, including regular patching, employee training, and advanced threat detection.