State-level Cyberattack Ranking

Virginia ranks among the top ten states for reported cybercrime because it combines many of the characteristics that cybercriminals actively seek. The Commonwealth is home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of federal agencies, defense contractors, technology companies, and financial institutions, particularly in Northern Virginia, where the world's largest data center market supports a vast digital economy. These organizations routinely exchange sensitive information, financial transactions, and government-related communications, making them attractive targets for phishing, ransomware, and credential theft.

At the same time, Virginia's high household incomes and growing senior population create opportunities for financially motivated scams such as investment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, tech support scams, and government impersonation attacks. Healthcare providers, educational institutions, and local governments further expand the state's digital attack surface. Virginia's mature cybersecurity community also contributes to more incidents being identified and reported than in many other states.