71% of attacks for financial gain; business systems, critical infrastructure primary targets
Global payments company Mastercard has warned that the rising number of cyberattacks poses a significant threat to the economy. businesses. The warning comes in its first Cyber Pulse report, which reviews cyber risks. the state of digital security across the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region.
According to the report. cybercrime in the region saw a notable increase at the start of 2026, following heightened geopolitical tensions. It states that 71% of cyberattacks are carried out for financial gain or to disrupt institutional systems, posing risks to business continuity. economic stability.
The report highlights that business systems, consumer data. critical infrastructure are primary targets for cybercriminals, accounting for 66% of total attacks. Attackers typically aim to commit fraud, disrupt business operations and, in some cases, cause physical damage.
It further identifies government institutions, technology companies. the financial sector as the most targeted, with 44% of cyberattacks affecting these sectors due to the sensitive and high-value data they hold.
Selin Bahadirli, Executive Vice President at Mastercard, said that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue but has become a fundamental pillar of business resilience. organisational survival. She emphasised that institutions must move beyond awareness and continuously strengthen their cyber readiness and defence capabilities.
The report also notes that malware, ransomware and email-based phishing attacks remain the most commonly used tools by cybercriminals. Experts advise companies to prioritise web security, data encryption and timely vulnerability management.
Globally, the financial impact of cyberattacks is also alarming. According to the report. the average cost of a data breach or cyberattack in the Middle East has reached approximately $7.29 million – 64% higher than the global average.
Mastercard revealed that it has invested around $12.6 billion in cybersecurity and digital protection since 2019. In 2025 alone. the company processed 175 billion financial transactions, using advanced data science to identify potential threats in real time.
The company stressed that cybersecurity is not only critical for large corporations but also essential for millions of small. medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As part of its long-term strategy, Mastercard aims to connect 500 million individuals. small businesses to a secure digital economy by 2030.
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