In 2026, the landscape of ransomware attacks will continue to evolve, drawing from past trends while adapting to new defences and technologies. This blog will look into how ransomware is changing in 2026.

The Ransomware threat is changing

Ransomware remains one of the most persistent and complex cyber threats facing organisations of all sizes. Recent data shows that 57% of organisations have experienced at least one ransomware incident in the past two years, underlining just how widespread the threat is. While overall attack volumes remain high, the nature of ransomware incidents is changing. Of those organisations that were compromised, 42% reported being subjected to double or triple extortion tactics, where data theft and secondary pressure are used alongside or instead of encryption.

This has created a paradox within the ransomware landscape. Security researchers are observing a sustained increase in the number of attacks, yet at the same time ransomware groups appear to be extracting less revenue from victims overall. In response, attackers are adapting their operating models, diversifying their techniques and expanding beyond traditional ransomware into broader extortion-driven campaigns. The result is a threat that is less predictable, more targeted and increasingly focused on maximising pressure rather than simply locking systems.

One notable trend is the reintegration of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) capabilities into ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) offerings. By bundling DDoS attacks with extortion demands, operators can increase pressure on victims and provide affiliates with more value.

Another emerging tactic involves insider recruitment. Beyond phishing and exploitation of vulnerabilities, some ransomware groups have attempted to recruit insiders, particularly through channels where native language skills and corporate context can help them bypass defences. This reflects a broader shift towards social engineering that targets people as much as technology.

Perhaps the most unusual tactic identified involves the misuse of gig worker platforms. In cases where remote installation of malware is blocked by security controls, attackers have reportedly recruited unwitting contract workers to gain physical access to sensitive systems and carry out data theft.

Finally, ransomware’s global footprint is expanding. Recorded Future anticipates that 2026 will be the first year in which new ransomware actors outside of Russia outnumber those originating within it, reflecting the internationalisation of cybercrime.

These developments suggest that ransomware operators are adapting to tighter security, lower payouts and broader extortion opportunities by being more creative, targeted and multi-faceted in their approach.

Sector risks and ransomware exposure

Although ransomware affects virtually every industry, some sectors face particular challenges in 2026.

Healthcare

Healthcare remains disproportionately affected due to inherent operational constraints, legacy systems and critical service dependencies. Attackers increasingly opt to exfiltrate sensitive patient and research data rather than simply encrypt it. This data becomes a lever in double extortion strategies that threaten both privacy and compliance. Healthcare organisations must balance urgent operational needs with the risk of data exposure.

Financial services

Financial institutions are targeted not only for encryption opportunities but also for the value of stolen data and regulatory exposure. The proliferation of fintech ecosystems and cloud-based payment platforms increases the attack surface. Financial sector defenders must contend with sophisticated identity attacks, lateral movement across services and the potential for reputational harm following data leaks.

Manufacturing and operational technology

Manufacturers with converged IT and operational technology (OT) networks are at elevated risk. Attackers are keenly aware that production-line stoppages can threaten safety and revenue. In 2026, intrusion tactics will continue to leverage remote access solutions and insecure service bridges between enterprise systems and OT environments.

Public sector and education

Public sector organisations often operate under constrained budgets and complex legacy estates. They face ransomware threats targeting citizen services and critical records. Educational institutions are grappling with threats to personal data, research IP and contractual cloud environments, placing a premium on identity management and network segmentation.

Small and medium enterprises

SMEs account for a significant portion of ransomware incidents. Here, attackers frequently exploit weak identity controls, exposed remote access tools and unmanaged cloud services. Because these organisations may lack mature security operations, ransomware can escalate rapidly from initial intrusion to major disruption.

How organisations can reduce ransomware risk in 2026

Reducing ransomware exposure requires a multi-layered approach that goes beyond traditional perimeter defences. Below are key strategies that organisations should prioritise.

Strengthen identity and access controls

Compromised credentials remain the dominant initial access vector. Enforcing strong multi-factor authentication, implementing zero-trust access policies and monitoring for anomalous identity behaviour will significantly reduce the likelihood of successful breaches.

Broaden visibility across cloud and SaaS environments

With ransomware actors increasingly leveraging cloud services and APIs to move laterally, security teams need consolidated visibility over data flows, access rights and configuration drift. Misconfigured cloud workloads and excessive privileges are common enablers of ransomware escalation.

Embed insider threat detection

Given the rising focus on social engineering and insider recruitment, organisations should evolve their insider threat programmes to detect behavioural anomalies and potential coercion attempts. Combining technical telemetry with employee awareness and reporting can help catch early warning signs.

Defend against multi-vector extortion

DDoS and data leak threats mean defenders must prepare for combined pressure tactics. Integrating DDoS mitigation with ransomware playbooks and tabletop exercises ensures teams are ready to respond to concurrent extortion strategies.

Isolate and test backups

Immutable, versioned backups remain one of the most effective last-resort defences. Ensure backups are isolated from production networks and regularly tested for recovery effectiveness. Attackers frequently seek to corrupt or delete backups as part of their extortion playbook.

Assume breach and plan a response

Organisations should plan for incidents early, with clear response procedures, crisis communications plans and regulatory reporting readiness. The goal is to reduce time to detection and containment, shortening attacker dwell time and providing organisational confidence during an incident.

How Integrity360 can help

Reducing ransomware risk requires continuous visibility, joined-up detection and response, and a clear understanding of where real exposure exists across the organisation. Integrity360 works with organisations across every major sector to help identify attack paths, strengthen identity and cloud security, and improve readiness before ransomware becomes a business-level crisis.

If your organisation is reassessing its ransomware strategy for 2026, Integrity360 can help you move from reactive defence to proactive risk reduction. Speak to our team to understand how improved exposure management, detection and response can reduce the likelihood and impact of modern ransomware attacks.