# Ransomware Surge Targets Europe's Largest Economies

*Published June 26, 2026*
*Source: [https://www.darkreading.com/cybersecurity-analytics/europe-evolves-ransomware-favorite-region](https://www.darkreading.com/cybersecurity-analytics/europe-evolves-ransomware-favorite-region)*

## Executive Summary

Europe has become a primary target for ransomware attacks, with a notable increase in incidents affecting major economies and key industries. This rise highlights significant vulnerabilities in vendor risk management and supply chain security.

## Article

Europe is currently experiencing a significant rise in ransomware attacks, with a 55% increase in incidents across the continent in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This resurgence in ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) activity is largely concentrated in major European economies such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, which together account for 68.5% of all attacks. Smaller countries like Turkey, Romania, and Poland have also seen dramatic increases, but researchers have not identified a clear pattern of attackers shifting focus to less protected economies. The manufacturing sector and digital services providers are particularly vulnerable, suffering a substantial share of these attacks due to their roles in larger supply chains and direct access to client data. The growing pressure on European organizations is compounded by attacks on their vendors, emphasizing the need for robust vendor risk management. The notorious Miljödata attack in 2025 highlighted the potential for a single breach to affect a vast network of clients, demonstrating the importance of understanding and mitigating both concentration and cascading risks in supply chains. Organizations are urged to enhance their visibility into vendor relationships and proactively address potential vulnerabilities before they lead to breaches.