The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) has reported a dramatic increase in cybersecurity incidents throughout 2025, with more than 12,650 complaints filed regarding various cyber threats and security breaches. This substantial surge highlights the growing vulnerability of Sri Lanka's digital infrastructure and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting both individuals and organizations across the island nation.
Record-Breaking Cybersecurity Incidents
The unprecedented number of cybersecurity complaints received by Sri Lanka CERT in 2025 represents a significant escalation from previous years, indicating that cyber threats have become more frequent and widespread. These incidents encompass a broad spectrum of cybersecurity challenges, including data breaches, phishing attacks, ransomware infections, and various forms of online fraud that have affected thousands of Sri Lankan citizens and businesses.
The surge in complaints demonstrates the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and protective measures across all sectors of society. As digital transformation accelerates in Sri Lanka, the attack surface for cybercriminals has expanded exponentially, creating new opportunities for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in both personal and corporate digital systems.
Types of Cyber Threats Dominating 2025
Among the most commonly reported incidents were phishing attacks targeting banking credentials and personal information. These sophisticated social engineering campaigns have become increasingly difficult to detect, with cybercriminals employing advanced techniques to create convincing replicas of legitimate websites and communications from trusted institutions.
Ransomware attacks have also contributed significantly to the complaint surge, with both small businesses and larger organizations falling victim to these devastating cyber incidents. These attacks not only result in immediate financial losses but also cause long-term damage to business operations and customer trust.
Mobile-based cyber threats have emerged as another major concern, with increasing numbers of Sri Lankans reporting incidents related to malicious mobile applications, SMS-based phishing, and unauthorized access to mobile banking services. The widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile internet services has created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are actively exploiting.
Impact on Sri Lankan Businesses and Individuals
The cybersecurity incident surge has had far-reaching consequences for Sri Lanka's digital economy. Small and medium enterprises, which often lack robust cybersecurity infrastructure, have been particularly vulnerable to attacks. Many businesses have reported significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and damage to their reputation following cyber incidents.
Individual citizens have also borne the brunt of increased cyber threats, with many reporting unauthorized access to bank accounts, identity theft, and various forms of online fraud. The psychological impact of these incidents extends beyond immediate financial losses, creating lasting concerns about digital safety and online privacy among the general population.
Sri Lanka CERT's Response and Recommendations
In response to the alarming increase in cybersecurity complaints, Sri Lanka CERT has intensified its efforts to provide comprehensive support and guidance to affected individuals and organizations. The team has expanded its incident response capabilities and enhanced its threat intelligence gathering to better understand and counter emerging cyber threats.
The organization has emphasized the importance of implementing basic cybersecurity hygiene practices, including regular software updates, strong password policies, and employee training programs. Sri Lanka CERT has also recommended that businesses invest in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and develop incident response plans to minimize the impact of potential attacks.
Future Cybersecurity Outlook
The dramatic increase in cybersecurity complaints signals a critical juncture for Sri Lanka's digital security landscape. As the country continues to embrace digital transformation across various sectors, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly urgent.
Experts predict that cyber threats will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated in the coming years. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies by cybercriminals is expected to create new challenges for cybersecurity professionals and organizations tasked with protecting digital assets.
Building Cyber Resilience
The surge in cybersecurity complaints underscores the urgent need for a coordinated national approach to cyber resilience. This includes strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing information sharing between organizations, and developing comprehensive cybersecurity education programs for all segments of society.
Investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and human resources will be crucial for addressing the growing threat landscape. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity as a fundamental business requirement rather than an optional add-on, recognizing that the cost of prevention is significantly lower than the cost of recovery from a successful cyber attack.
As Sri Lanka navigates this challenging cybersecurity environment, the collaboration between Sri Lanka CERT, government agencies, private sector organizations, and individual citizens will be essential for building a more secure and resilient digital ecosystem that can withstand the evolving threats of the modern cyber landscape.