Cyberattacks Against Vulnerable Groups Skyrocket: Journalism Organizations Hit Hardest

Cloudflare, a leading global connectivity cloud company responsible for powering approximately 25% of the global internet, has unveiled alarming new data revealing a staggering 241% surge in cyberattacks targeting some of the world's most vulnerable groups. Among these, journalism organizations have borne the brunt of an unprecedented volume of attacks, signaling a growing threat to the integrity of information and human rights worldwide.

The insights come from Cloudflare's Project Galileo, an invaluable initiative that provides pro bono cybersecurity support to high-risk public interest groups. The recently released report offers a rare and crucial glimpse into the relentless and escalating cyber warfare waged against organizations dedicated to upholding human rights, ensuring unbiased information dissemination, advocating for environmental protection, and providing crucial care for those in need.

The scale of the threat is immense. Between May 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, Cloudflare's robust systems successfully blocked a staggering 108.9 billion cyber threats aimed at organizations protected under Project Galileo. This translates to an average of nearly 325.2 million cyberattacks every single day – a shocking 241% increase compared to the previous year. The data underscores a significant escalation in malicious online activity targeting these critical entities.

Journalism organizations, vital for a functioning democracy and informed public, experienced the highest volume of these relentless attacks. Over 97 billion requests were identified and blocked as potential threats across 315 different journalistic entities. This extraordinary number highlights a concerted effort to disrupt, silence, or compromise media outlets, likely aiming to control narratives or suppress vital information. The targeting of the press is a direct assault on the public's right to know and the principles of transparency.

Following closely in the crosshairs were Human Rights and Civil Society Organizations. This category saw an alarming 8.9 billion attacks blocked, illustrating the persistent attempts to undermine groups advocating for fundamental freedoms, justice, and societal well-being. These organizations often challenge powerful interests and expose injustices, making them prime targets for those seeking to suppress dissent or maintain oppressive systems.

The report also sheds light on the significant threats faced by environmental organizations and those involved in disaster relief. Over the past year, Cloudflare mitigated more than 1 billion requests – an average of 3.7 million per day – against organizations working on environmental issues and disaster relief under Project Galileo. The report explicitly states that environmental organizations, including climate advocacy groups, are frequent targets of cyberattacks because their work frequently challenges powerful political and economic interests. This suggests that these attacks are not random acts of vandalism but calculated efforts to hinder environmental activism and policy changes that might disrupt established industries or political agendas.

Cloudflare's Project Galileo provides a critical defense line for these vulnerable groups, but the sheer volume and increasing intensity of these attacks serve as a stark reminder of the escalating digital battle being waged against the foundations of a free and just society. The data calls for heightened awareness, increased cybersecurity measures, and sustained support for organizations that are at the forefront of protecting public interest in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable digital world.