Surge in Ransomware Attacks Targeting Manufacturing Sector in 2026

• •Ransomware attacks on manufacturers rose nearly 40% in early 2026 compared to 2025.
• •The Jaguar Land Rover attack significantly disrupted production and affected over 5,000 organizations.
• •The new ransomware group, The Gentlemen, accounted for 12% of attacks in 2026.

In 2026, ransomware attacks on the manufacturing sector surged nearly 40% year over year, with significant incidents including the Jaguar Land Rover attack that halted production for over five weeks. The Bank of England reported that this attack contributed to a 27% decline in UK car production in September 2025, affecting over 5,000 organizations. Black Kite's report identified 5,237 disclosed ransomware victims from January 2023 to July 2026, with the mid-market manufacturers being the primary targets. The new ransomware group, The Gentlemen, was responsible for 12% of the attacks in 2026. The report also highlighted that 70% of manufacturers had critical vulnerabilities, with many exposed credentials found on the dark web. The geographic footprint of attacks is expanding, particularly in Europe, where victim counts increased by 85% compared to the previous year. This trend underscores the ongoing risk to supply chains and the operational impact of ransomware incidents.