Manufacturing Sector Bears Brunt of Ransomware Onslaught as Attacks Surge 335% Since 2020

Ransomware Epidemic Reaches Crisis Levels

The latest cybersecurity landscape reveals an alarming escalation in ransomware attacks, with new data showing a 335% increase in incidents since the third quarter of 2020. According to BlackFog’s comprehensive analysis of global ransomware activity from July to September 2025, publicly disclosed attacks have reached unprecedented levels, recording a 36% year-over-year increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Manufacturing Industry: Prime Target for Cyber Extortion

The manufacturing sector has emerged as the most vulnerable industry, absorbing 22% of all ransomware attacks during the reporting period. This targeting represents a significant shift in cybercriminal strategy, with attackers focusing on industries where operational disruption creates maximum pressure for ransom payments. The consequences have been severe, ranging from grounded aircraft and stranded passengers to complete production halts at major manufacturing facilities.

Dr. Darren Williams, Founder and CEO of BlackFog, emphasized the real-world impact: “Operations at Jaguar Land Rover only recently resumed following the August incident, while numerous smaller suppliers are still counting the cost. The disruption has been significant across the entire manufacturing ecosystem.”, according to technology trends

Quarterly Breakdown Shows Consistent Escalation

BlackFog’s month-by-month analysis reveals a persistent upward trajectory throughout the quarter:

• July 2025: 50% spike in ransomware incidents
• August 2025: 37% increase compared to previous year
• September 2025: 27% uptick in attack volume

Attack Attribution and Emerging Threat Groups

The ransomware collective Qilin maintained its position as the most active threat actor, continuing patterns observed in the second quarter. However, security researchers noted that approximately 40% of reported attacks remain unattributed to any known ransomware group, indicating either sophisticated obfuscation techniques or the emergence of completely new threat actors., according to further reading

The quarter witnessed the debut of 18 new ransomware groups, with newcomer DEVMAN making a particularly significant impact through high-profile incidents targeting large enterprises. This proliferation of threat actors suggests the ransomware-as-a-service model continues to evolve and expand., according to technology insights

The Hidden Crisis: Underreported Attacks

Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that nearly 85% of all ransomware attacks went unreported during Q3 2025. This represents a 21% increase in unreported incidents compared to the same period last year, suggesting organizations are becoming increasingly reluctant to disclose breaches despite regulatory requirements.

Data Theft Becomes Standard Operating Procedure

Cybercriminals have overwhelmingly adopted data exfiltration as their primary tactic, with 96% of all disclosed cases involving data theft. This marks the highest level recorded to date and indicates a strategic shift toward double-extortion schemes where attackers not only encrypt systems but also threaten to publish stolen sensitive data., as covered previously

Protective Strategies for Organizations

Dr. Williams advises organizations to focus on prevention rather than reaction: “As ransomware volumes show a continued upward trend, the best option for organizations is to make it as hard as possible for cybercriminals to take advantage of them. That means protecting data so that they have no leverage for extortion and, critically, no incentive to return.”

This approach emphasizes the importance of comprehensive data protection strategies, including robust backup systems, network segmentation, employee training, and advanced threat detection capabilities.

For detailed analysis and complete findings, security professionals can access BlackFog’s State of Ransomware report for July-September 2025 for comprehensive threat intelligence and mitigation recommendations.

References & Further Reading

This article draws from multiple authoritative sources. For more information, please consult:

• https://ponycommunications.mxficus.com/60a6b5a058f5e74712e416c8/l/FnncAN8HH3D1dvmgn?rn=&re=ISbvNmLuVWaAZmZlpmI&sc=false

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