Govt websites, varsities among key targetsTG reports over 6.25 M

Telangana has emerged as one of India’s most targeted states for cyber attacks, accounting for 23 per cent of all malware detections nation-wide in 2024. A staggering 6.25 million malware incidents were recorded across the State, with critical government and educational institutions among the worst affected, according to the Telangana Cyber Threat Report 2025 by Seqrite, the enterprise arm of Quick Heal Technologies.
The report paints a grim picture of the state’s cybersecurity landscape, revealing an average of 47 ransomware attacks daily, amounting to 17,505 incidents last year. Notable victims included the Telangana government portal (data.telangana.gov.in), Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University and the Deputy Chief Minister’s website, all of which suffered significant breaches.  
Beyond malware, identity theft emerged as Telangana’s most common cybercrime, with nearly 30,000 cases reported. It includes 11,125 cases of unauthorised transactions, 5,369 cases of KYC update fraud, 18,647 impersonation scams, including courier fraud, police impersonation, and digital arrest scams 26,000 cases of business and investment fraud, 17,669 advertisement fraud cases and 12,589 loan fraud incidents.  
Ransomware attacks have also intensified, particularly in the IT, manufacturing and education sectors, causing widespread disruptions. Among the most severe incidents, a ransomware attack on Narayana Group hospitals and educational services crippled electronic medical records (EMR) and billing systems, affecting critical patient care. Similarly, Sivaraj Medical Colleges faced a devastating breach that exposed student records, financial transactions and payroll data.  
The Telangana government portal and educational institutions were among the primary targets, with website defacements and data leaks causing significant reputational damage. The Deputy Chief Minister’s website was also compromised, exposing internal documents and raising serious privacy concerns.  
Commenting on the findings, Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal Technologies, emphasised the need for a proactive cybersecurity strategy. “Telangana is becoming a key IT hub, driving India’s digital economy through robust infrastructure and innovation-driven policies. As the State develops, cyber threats will continue to rise. Our report underscores the urgent need for stronger security frameworks to protect businesses, government institutions and individuals.”