August 2026 sees record ransomware surge, India tops Asia-Pacific targets
In August, ransomware incidents hit a 2026 high with over 1,000 publicly named victims, and India was the most attacked nation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs recorded 1,034 publicly named ransomware victims worldwide in August, the busiest month of 2026 so far, averaging 33 attacks each day. This surge ends a March-June downturn and builds on a 60% jump in July, with an additional 25% increase in August. India emerged as the top target in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for 24 claimed victims and ranking seventh globally.
The United States led worldwide with 484 victims, far outpacing Italy's 50. Manufacturing (151 victims) and professional services (147) were the most affected sectors, reflecting the risk of operational downtime and sensitive data exposure. Regional gang activity shifted, with The Gentlemen claiming 20 victims in Asia-Pacific, surpassing Qilin's 16, while Krybit and Orova also posted notable regional counts.
Why it matters
The spike highlights growing cyber-risk for businesses, especially in India’s large IT and manufacturing sectors.
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