Group-IB's 2026 Report Reveals Supply Chain Attacks as Top Cyber Threat Worldwide
In a significant revelation, Group-IB has published its 2026 version of the High-Tech Crime Trends Report, which highlights a striking shift in the landscape of cybercrime. The report indicates that supply chain attacks are now the most prevalent form of cyber threat globally, transitioning from isolated incidents to widespread ecosystem compromises. This shift highlights a concerning trend where attackers are leveraging trusted vendors, open-source software, SaaS platforms, browser extensions, and managed service providers to infiltrate multiple downstream organizations.
In the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, a staggering 80% of reported phishing activities target internet services and financial institutions. This alarming statistic shows how identity compromise has become a common entry point for cascading supply chain attacks. Group-IB’s trend analyses reveal that cybercriminals predominantly target high-impact sectors, such as internet services, financial institutions, and logistics - collectively leading to significant fallout for connected networks.
The report underscores the increasing influence of Initial Access Brokers (IABs) in the threat environment of these regions. In 2025, Group-IB documented over 200 cases linked to organizations in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa that were publicly advertised for sale. This indicates a robust demand for stolen credentials and access points, which are increasingly utilized to initiate ransomware attacks, espionage campaigns, and large-scale tracking operations. Ransomware incidents in the Middle East were particularly prevalent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with more than 100 reported cases in 2025 alone. Other nations such as South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey also saw significant targeting, impacting sectors including real estate, finance, manufacturing, public administration, and healthcare.
The report illustrates how ransomware groups now operate like industrialized ecosystems, prioritizing upstream access to maximize operational disruptions and financial consequences. Dmitry Volkov, the CEO of Group-IB, warns, “Cybercrime is no longer characterized by isolated breaches. Instead, it is defined by cascading failures of trust.” He emphasizes the need for defenders to rethink their strategies, shifting their focus from isolated systems to securing trust across every relationship, identity, and dependency in their organizations.
The 2026 High-Tech Crime Trends Report is supported by intelligence from Group-IB’s digital crime resistance centers across 11 countries. It combines adversary-focused telemetry data with real investigations, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving global cybercrime landscape. Through monitoring underground cybercriminal ecosystems, the report aims to provide organizations with actionable insights to bolster their cybersecurity measures and navigate the emerging challenges posed by supply chain attacks.
As the threat landscape evolves, the findings from this report serve as a crucial wake-up call for businesses and organizations worldwide. It reflects the pressing need to reassess cybersecurity strategies in a world where a single exploit can reverberate across entire industries, affecting not just the compromised entities but their clients, partners, and interconnected ecosystems as well. Organizations must prioritize strengthening their defenses, fostering trust, and developing a robust security posture to mitigate these expansive threats. In doing so, they can better protect themselves and contribute to a more secure digital economy for all.
In the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, a staggering 80% of reported phishing activities target internet services and financial institutions. This alarming statistic shows how identity compromise has become a common entry point for cascading supply chain attacks. Group-IB’s trend analyses reveal that cybercriminals predominantly target high-impact sectors, such as internet services, financial institutions, and logistics - collectively leading to significant fallout for connected networks.
The report underscores the increasing influence of Initial Access Brokers (IABs) in the threat environment of these regions. In 2025, Group-IB documented over 200 cases linked to organizations in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa that were publicly advertised for sale. This indicates a robust demand for stolen credentials and access points, which are increasingly utilized to initiate ransomware attacks, espionage campaigns, and large-scale tracking operations. Ransomware incidents in the Middle East were particularly prevalent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with more than 100 reported cases in 2025 alone. Other nations such as South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey also saw significant targeting, impacting sectors including real estate, finance, manufacturing, public administration, and healthcare.
The report illustrates how ransomware groups now operate like industrialized ecosystems, prioritizing upstream access to maximize operational disruptions and financial consequences. Dmitry Volkov, the CEO of Group-IB, warns, “Cybercrime is no longer characterized by isolated breaches. Instead, it is defined by cascading failures of trust.” He emphasizes the need for defenders to rethink their strategies, shifting their focus from isolated systems to securing trust across every relationship, identity, and dependency in their organizations.
The 2026 High-Tech Crime Trends Report is supported by intelligence from Group-IB’s digital crime resistance centers across 11 countries. It combines adversary-focused telemetry data with real investigations, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving global cybercrime landscape. Through monitoring underground cybercriminal ecosystems, the report aims to provide organizations with actionable insights to bolster their cybersecurity measures and navigate the emerging challenges posed by supply chain attacks.
As the threat landscape evolves, the findings from this report serve as a crucial wake-up call for businesses and organizations worldwide. It reflects the pressing need to reassess cybersecurity strategies in a world where a single exploit can reverberate across entire industries, affecting not just the compromised entities but their clients, partners, and interconnected ecosystems as well. Organizations must prioritize strengthening their defenses, fostering trust, and developing a robust security posture to mitigate these expansive threats. In doing so, they can better protect themselves and contribute to a more secure digital economy for all.
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