NCC Group says August ransomware attacks hit 2026 high of 1,073, up 12% from July

• NCC Group’s August 2026 Threat Pulse recorded 1,073 ransomware attacks, up 12% from 960 in July, a 2026 high.
• Qilin became the top ransomware group, linked to 15% of attacks, overtaking The Gentlemen.
• North America led targeting at 44% of attacks; Europe followed at 26%, keeping pressure on Western businesses.
• Industrials remained the most targeted sector at 31% of attacks, up from 28% in July, signaling rising critical infrastructure risk.
• Aurora expanded VPN exploitation in 2026, reinforcing data extortion as a primary objective alongside encryption.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. NCC Group plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on September 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.