Check Point Research: Ransomware Ecosystem Consolidating in Q1 2026
A new report from Check Point Research indicates that the ransomware ecosystem is consolidating, with the top 10 groups responsible for the majority of victim activity in Q1 2026.
Check Point Research has released its Q1 2026 report on the state of the ransomware landscape, highlighting a shift toward consolidation among top threat actors. After a period of fragmentation in late 2025, the top 10 ransomware groups now account for 71% of all victim activity.
The report notes that ransomware volume has stabilized at historically high levels, with 2,122 victims posted on data leak sites during the first quarter. Qilin remains the most prominent operation for the third consecutive quarter, while a new group known as "The Gentlemen" has emerged as a significant threat, reaching the third position in victim counts [Check Point Research].
Organizations should remain vigilant as the ransomware ecosystem matures and consolidates around fewer, more dominant operators. Security teams are advised to prioritize robust backup strategies and incident response planning to mitigate the impact of these persistent, high-volume threats.