Ransomware Trends August 2025

Ransomware Attacks Decline 13% in August, But Threat Landscape Evolves

While overall attacks decreased, industrial sectors and collaborative threat actors pose growing concerns.

Five-Month Trend Shows Consistent Attack Levels

Ransomware attacks remained below 500 for the fifth consecutive month. NCC Group’s latest report documents 328 attacks during August. This represents a 13% decrease from July’s numbers. However, current levels mirror 2024’s statistics from April to August. The threat remains significant despite recent declines.

Industrial Sector Bears the Brunt

Industrial companies faced 121 attacks in August, a 10% increase from July. This sector accounted for 37% of all global incidents. Consumer discretionary businesses followed with 66 attacks. Information technology companies experienced 31 incidents. The attack on Sweden’s Miljödata demonstrated the widespread impact. It broken HR systems across 200 local governments.

Geographical Distribution Reveals Concentrated Threats

North America and Europe experienced 81% of all global attacks. Asia accounted for 9% of incidents, while South America faced 4%. This concentration highlights regional vulnerabilities and the need for tailored defense strategies.

Threat Actor Activity Shifts

Qilin emerged as August’s most active threat group. The group claimed responsibility for 53 attacks, representing 16% of total incidents. Safepay and Akira remained highly active with 26 and 43 attacks respectively. These groups continue to adapt their tactics and targeting methods.

Collaborative Threat Actors Increase Sophistication

Scattered Spider exemplifies the new collaborative ransomware model. The group partners with Ransomware-as-a-Service operators. This allows specialization, with Scattered Spider focusing on social engineering. RaaS providers handle technical execution. The partnership model creates more resilient criminal operations. When law enforcement disrupts one operator, others can continue attacks.

Geopolitical Factors Influence Cyber Threats

Recent US tariffs on Indian imports have triggered product boycotts. Such geopolitical tensions often correlate with increased cyber threat activity. Historical patterns suggest threat groups leverage deteriorating international relations. The current India-China-Russia relationship dynamics warrant close monitoring.

Expert Analysis: Beyond Surface Numbers

“Attack levels plateauing mask significant underlying trends,” said Matt Hull, NCC Group’s Threat Intelligence head. “While numbers appear lower, criminal partnerships demonstrate why cyber resilience must remain priority one. The ransomware landscape operates with business-like efficiency, requiring equally sophisticated defense strategies.”

Security Recommendations for Industrial Organizations

Based on current threat intelligence:

• Implement multi-layered social engineering protection
• Develop incident response plans for RaaS attacks
• Monitor geopolitical developments affecting supply chains
• Establish cross-platform security monitoring
• Conduct regular security awareness training

Application Scenario: Manufacturing Company Defense

Challenge: An industrial manufacturer faces increasing ransomware threats from collaborative threat groups.
Solution: Implement comprehensive security monitoring with emphasis on social engineering detection and cross-platform threat hunting.
Outcome: The company reduces successful phishing attempts by 75% and contains potential ransomware incidents within 30 minutes of detection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did ransomware attacks decrease in August?
While August showed a 13% decrease, the five-month trend indicates consistent attack levels averaging similar to 2024 patterns, suggesting seasonal variation rather than sustained improvement.

Which industries are most targeted currently?
Industrial sectors face the highest targeting with 37% of all attacks, followed by consumer discretionary businesses and information technology companies.

How are threat actors evolving their tactics?
Groups like Scattered Spider are specializing and collaborating with RaaS operators, creating more sophisticated and resilient attack capabilities.

What geographical regions face the highest risk?
North America and Europe experience 81% of global ransomware attacks, making them the highest-risk regions currently.

How can organizations improve their ransomware defenses?
Focus on social engineering protection, incident response planning, geopolitical monitoring, and cross-platform security controls to address evolving collaborative threats.