Ransomware Trends Report | Q2 2026

2,509 Confirmed Victims. 91 Active Ransomware Groups. One Quarter.

The ransomware ecosystem didn’t slow down in Q2; it accelerated.

Discover which threat groups gained momentum, why attackers shifted toward new industries, and what the latest intelligence reveals about the campaigns expected to shape Q3 2026.

Ransomware activity increased 17.5% compared to the previous quarter. Behind that growth are 91 active threat groups, rapidly shifting affiliate ecosystems, new sector targeting strategies, and increasingly sophisticated attack techniques.

The Brandefense Ransomware Trends Report Q2 2026 analyzes 2,509 confirmed ransomware incidents to reveal who is driving today’s campaigns, where attackers are focusing next, and what security teams should prioritize before Q3.

What You’ll Discover

• Why ransomware activity surged 17.5% in a single quarter
• The operators gaining momentum beyond Qilin and Akira
• Why Business Services overtook Manufacturing as the #1 target
• Which countries and industries face the highest risk
• MITRE ATT&CK techniques used by today’s most active ransomware groups
• Strategic recommendations to reduce ransomware exposure before attackers strike

Why This Report Matters

Threat actors are adapting faster than ever.

Affiliate programs continue to mature, attack volumes keep climbing, and ransomware operators are expanding into new industries while refining their techniques. Relying on historical data is no longer enough.

This report provides a data-driven view of the current ransomware landscape, helping CISOs, SOC teams, and security leaders understand where the ecosystem is heading and how to prepare for what comes next.