Hong Kong hit with record cyberattacks in 2025 as AI-linked threats rise

The number of cyberattacks in Hong Kong hit a record high in 2025, with detected system vulnerabilities tripling, prompting experts to warn that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could pose a major risk of further attacks this year.Edmond Lai Shiao-bun, chief digital officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, warned on Wednesday that AI would pose three of the top five security threats to enterprises this year, urging firms to invest more in cybersecurity defences and staffing.“It may not be appropriate for us to let employees ponder this issue. Instead, we need more top-down guidance on how to better use AI. This is an inevitable trend,” Lai said.The council’s Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre has outlined five major risks for the coming year: AI-driven attacks and misuse of AI agents; weak corporate governance over AI use; security gaps involving third-party service providers and supply chains; over-reliance on cloud services; and threats posed by AI-powered robots.Lai revealed that the centre recorded 18,577 cybersecurity incidents and system loopholes last year, 57 per cent of which – or 8,973 cases – were phishing attacks.The total number of incidents and loopholes recorded by the centre last year reached a record high.