2026 Cyber Threat Report: State of Ransomware

You probably picture your biggest threat as the competitor trying to beat you to market. Spoiler alert: the landscape changed. Right now, ransomware is the competitor coming for your business 24/7/365. It’s organized, patient, and running a real playbook.

The 2026 State of Ransomware report breaks down how these crews operate now and how to stay ahead of them.

What you'll find inside

• The shift from fast smash-and-grab to slow, stealthy attacks

• Why the average time-to-ransom climbed from 17 to 20 hours

• The shared playbooks shaping how modern ransomware unfolds

• Which major groups accounted for more than half of all incidents

• How initial access drives the disruption that follows

• Why identity threats show up 14 days before an attack in 21% of cases

The big shift: patience

Ransomware affiliates aren't rushing anymore. They get in, look around, and wait for the moment that hurts most. That patience is exactly why catching the early stages matters.

How Huntress helps

Stopping ransomware means seeing the quiet middle—the recon and lateral movement before encryption. See our approach to ransomware and how Managed EDR catches it early.

Download the report to stay ahead of the hidden competition.