Table of Contents
Linthicum Heights, MD – May 7th, 2026 – CyberMaxx, the leading managed detection and response (MDR) provider, released its Quarterly Ransomware Research Report today. The report shows a relatively minor decline in ransomware activity in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, though levels remain elevated.
A total of 2,282 ransomware attacks were recorded in Q1 (January-March) 2026, representing a 5% decrease from 2,406 attacks in Q4 (October-December) 2025. Despite this small decline, ransomware continues to pose a consistent and significant risk to organizations globally.
The number of active ransomware groups declined marginally from 71 to 69, reinforcing a broader trend of consolidation. Fewer groups are now responsible for a comparable volume of attacks. This suggests increased efficiency and coordination among leading threat actors rather than a meaningful reduction in threat levels.
Qilin retained its position as the most active ransomware group in Q1 2026, followed by TheGentlemen, Akira, IncRansom, and Cl0p. These groups demonstrate a mix of high-volume and targeted attack strategies to maximize their impact.
Technology (259 attacks) and Manufacturing (247 attacks) remained the top targets. Technology has risen steadily from 162 attacks in Q2 2025 to 185 in Q3, 249 in Q4, and now 259 in Q1 2026. Healthcare was a close second with 149 attacks. This highlights a continued focus on essential sectors where disruption has a serious impact.
Geographically, ransomware activity remains concentrated in developed economies, with the United States accounting for 924 attacks. The UK, Germany, and Canada also reported notable levels of activity.
Beyond the main targets, activity is spread across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East and Africa, including countries like Brazil, Japan, Australia, and Taiwan. This shows ransomware’s increasingly global reach. Attacks are enabled by standardized tools and affiliate-driven ecosystems and supported by the growing digitization of business environments.
Ransomware activity in Q1 2026 remains stable at an elevated level, with declining group numbers offset by consolidation among more capable threat actors. With consistent sector targeting and no meaningful drop in risk, organizations must remain informed and adaptable.
CyberMaxx’s cyber research team regularly investigates threats independently. These efforts aim to build shared knowledge across the cybersecurity community.
Access the full Ransomware Research Report here: Q1 2026 Ransomware Research Report
About CyberMaxx
CyberMaxx, LLC., founded in 2002, is a modern MDR leader that combines advanced AI‑powered threat detection with deep human expertise to deliver faster, smarter, and more comprehensive response. Our commitment to proactive security and a tech-enabled approach equips organizations with cutting-edge technology and the confidence to operate securely in an increasingly complex landscape. Using offensive‑driven insights to strengthen defensive strategies, we help customers anticipate emerging threats, outmaneuver attackers, and continuously fortify their security posture. For more information, visit: https://www.cybermaxx.com/
CyberMaxx Media Contact
John Pinkham
jpinkham@cybermaxx.com
