Higher education ransomware attacks rose in H1 2026
Trend
Summary
Hide ▲
Show ▼
Ransomware attacks on higher education providers rose 8% in H1 2026, increasing disruption and extortion risk across universities and colleges. The period also saw 104 ransomware incidents across the global education sector. The Gentlemen was a major driver of the surge, with its education-targeted activity rising sharply. The pattern left schools and universities facing higher ransom demands and heavier recovery pressure.
Related Happenings
Ransomware victim concentration remained dominated by the top five operations
Trend
H score44
First: 21.07.2026 16:00
Last: 21.07.2026 16:00
Sources 1
About this happening:
Ransomware victimization remained concentrated across March 2025 to March 2026, with 7,551 public disclosed victims and the top five operations responsible for 44%...
Ransomware victim concentration remained dominated by the top five operations
TrendAbout this happening: Ransomware victimization remained concentrated across March 2025 to March 2026, with 7,551 public disclosed victims and the top five operations responsible for 44%...
Ransomware targeting of government organizations rose to daily frequency in January-June 2026
Trend
H score39
First: 17.07.2026 18:00
Last: 17.07.2026 18:00
Sources 1
About this happening:
Government organizations saw a sustained rise in ransomware during January-June 2026, reaching an average of one attack per day and increasing the risk of recurrin...
Ransomware targeting of government organizations rose to daily frequency in January-June 2026
TrendAbout this happening: Government organizations saw a sustained rise in ransomware during January-June 2026, reaching an average of one attack per day and increasing the risk of recurrin...
Mount Royal University (MRU) hit by ransomware attack
Incident
H score74
First: 09.07.2026 13:06
Last: 09.07.2026 13:06
Sources 1
About this happening:
The Mount Royal University (MRU) confirmed a ransomware attack that stole employee and student data and disrupted internal systems, online services, and inte...
Mount Royal University (MRU) hit by ransomware attack
IncidentAbout this happening: The Mount Royal University (MRU) confirmed a ransomware attack that stole employee and student data and disrupted internal systems, online services, and inte...
Manufacturing companies face a 2026 ransomware targeting surge
Trend
H score73
First: 14.05.2026 15:00
Last: 14.05.2026 15:00
Sources 1
About this happening:
Manufacturing companies are facing a 2026 ransomware targeting surge, with aggregated counts reaching 600 attacks and 55 confirmed victims, signaling sustained pre...
Manufacturing companies face a 2026 ransomware targeting surge
TrendAbout this happening: Manufacturing companies are facing a 2026 ransomware targeting surge, with aggregated counts reaching 600 attacks and 55 confirmed victims, signaling sustained pre...
Global higher-education cyberattack surge across 67 countries in 2024-2025
Trend
H score26
First: 23.04.2026 13:30
Last: 23.04.2026 13:30
Sources 1
About this happening:
Across 67 countries, schools and universities saw a 63% rise in recorded cyber incidents, making higher education a more exposed target sector. The increase matters be...
Global higher-education cyberattack surge across 67 countries in 2024-2025
TrendAbout this happening: Across 67 countries, schools and universities saw a 63% rise in recorded cyber incidents, making higher education a more exposed target sector. The increase matters be...
Timeline
-
24.07.2026 12:15 2 articles · 10h ago
Higher education ransomware attacks rise 8% in H1 2026
Campaign Scope UpdateComparitech's Education Ransomware Roundup recorded an 8% increase in ransomware attacks against higher education providers between January and June 2026, with 104 incidents across the global education sector and The Gentlemen driving a 275% rise in education-sector attacks. The report also found 36 incidents were confirmed as ransomware by victims, a $420,620 median ransom demand across the sector, and a $1.9m demand after an attack on Mount Royal University in Canada, where systems were still impacted a month later and attackers claimed to have stolen over 10TB of data.
Show sources
- Ransomware Attacks Targeting Universities on the Rise — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 24.07.2026 12:15
- Ransomware Attacks Targeting Universities on the Rise — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 24.07.2026 12:15