As per the latest reports in the field of cybersecurity, Europe has become the main center of ransomware and extortion attacks, comprising over 20% of the world’s cyber attacks. Such an increase in cyber attacks exemplifies the increasing sophistication of threat actors in Europe and the weaknesses in Europe’s cyber defenses. According to CrowdStrike’s 2025 European Threat Landscape Report, ransomware attacks and the extortion of data have expanded and intensified across Europe, impacting the continent’s critical energy, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.
One of the most attacked areas of the world
The analysis indicates that Europe’s share of ransomware attacks has significantly increased and has brought to the forefront financially motivated cyber criminals, as well as politically motivated ransomware and data extortion attacks from state-sponsored actors.
Dark Reading states that ransomware data extortion attacks involving double extortion, wherein the cybercriminal encrypts the data, and threatens to leak it to the public unless a ransom is paid, is becoming more frequent and is successful against organizations with thin layers of incident response capabilities.
“Europe’s share of ransomware and extortion attacks has surged, now representing over 20% of global cases, driven by double-extortion tactics and critical infrastructure targeting.”
There is an absence of Fragmented Security Regulation in Europe. The GDPR is one of the strongest data protection legislation, however, in terms of cybersecurity legislation, similar to the GDPR, there is a disarray in Europe.
Europe’s most undesirable target
There are several factors contributing to Europe’s growing problems:
- Digital Transformation: Organizations face challenges to secure hybrid work environments due to the rapid adoption of cloud computing and the growing use of remote work
- Geopolitical instability: Ongoing warfare and economic uncertainty drive cyber activities designed to threaten critical infrastructure and supply chain components
CrowdStrike observes that ransomware perpetrators are customizing their attacks and incorporating sophisticated methods, such as living off the land and credential stealing, to circumvent mainstream security.
Which industries are affected?
Energy and utilities are major targets as criminals seek to sabotage and demand ransom for their operational activities. Healthcare is also strained because of limited resources and, because of patient files, are exposed to more danger as that information is in high demand. Many high-tech and automotive manufacturing companies are also targeted for their reliance on advanced technology.
What is the potential damage?
Attacks of this nature have significant economic ramifications. Dark Reading reports that there has been a sharp increase in ransom requests in Europe, and some have surpassed several million euros. Organizations also experience major economic consequences and face a loss of reputation, regulatory fines, and stagnant operational activities for several weeks. In many instances, the ransom demand is significantly less than the cost of recovering after an attack.
Defensive measures and collaboration
Experts emphasize the importance of proactive, layered defense strategies, including
- Zero trust architecture: Restricting access until further identity validation.
- Threat intelligence collaboration: Joining forces with other sectors and other geographical regions to detect potential threats.
- Incident response planning: Enabling swift containment and recovery to mitigate impact
The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) and other local initiatives are working to improve resilience through the dissemination of best practices and the calibration of standards. However, as CrowdStrike points out, the velocity of attacks is outpacing the ability of most organizations to adjust.
Having ransomware and extortion firmly entrenched as the top cyber threats, Europe is at a pivotal point. If the systemic weaknesses go unaddressed, the impact of disruption increases, particularly the further refinement of tactics and the expansion of reach by the attackers. The need to invest in solid frameworks of Cybersecurity is no longer a choice. It’s a must, and it goes for businesses and governments as well.
