The ransomware landscape of 2026 is dominated by three groups: Qilin, Akira and Dragonforce are together responsible for forty percent of all reported attacks. Qilin alone claimed 131 victims in March, a monthly record. What makes these groups so effective, how do they bypass security tools and what can you do to protect your organisation?
The figures are alarming. In March 2026, 672 ransomware attacks were recorded worldwide. Three groups — Qilin, Akira and Dragonforce — are together responsible for forty percent of all those incidents. Qilin leads: the group claimed no fewer than 131 victims in March, their highest monthly figure ever, and has been above one hundred victims per month for three consecutive months.
For security professionals and organisations tracking threat developments, these are not abstract statistics. They reflect a fundamental shift in how ransomware groups operate: more professional, faster and technically more sophisticated than ever.
Qilin, also known as Agenda, uses a Rust-based ransomware that is particularly difficult for traditional security tools to detect. The group uses a double extortion tactic: in addition to encrypting files, sensitive data is stolen and threatened to be made public if the ransom is not paid. Qilin is increasingly targeting the US market, but European businesses are also increasingly in the crosshairs.
Akira distinguishes itself through speed. Research by security firm Mandiant shows that Akira is capable of completing all phases of an attack in less than an hour after initial access. That gives defenders barely any time to intervene. Akira already had 194 victims in Q1 2026, spread across sectors including finance, manufacturing and professional services.
A concerning development is that both Qilin and Akira use so-called BYOVD attacks: Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver. In this technique, attackers install a known, vulnerable driver on the target system and then use that driver to deactivate security software, such as Endpoint Detection and Response tools.
Qilin and a related group called Warlock are particularly effective at this: they managed to bypass more than three hundred different EDR tools using this method. This means that organisations relying solely on endpoint security have a false sense of security. A layered defence with network monitoring, privilege management and rapid detection of anomalous behaviour is essential.
A broader trend clearly visible in 2026 is the use of AI by ransomware groups. Attackers use AI to automate reconnaissance, personalise phishing messages and accelerate the attack cycle. Mandiant reported that the average dwell time after initial compromise has dropped to 22 seconds — a dramatic acceleration compared to previous years.
The most effective defence against modern ransomware is based on multiple layers. Multi-factor authentication on all accounts eliminates one of the most commonly used attack vectors. Regular, isolated backups ensure you can recover without paying ransom. Network segmentation limits the damage if an attacker does get in. Monitoring of anomalous network behaviour detects attacks that bypass endpoint security.
Zarioh helps organisations set up a layered security strategy that is resilient against modern attack methods. From Microsoft Defender configuration to backup strategy and incident response planning. Contact us for a security scan of your environment.
