Portugal reports 29% rise in cyber attacks, 2,639 incidents per week

In June 2026 Portuguese organisations faced an average of 2,639 cyber‑attacks each week, marking a 29% increase from the same month a year earlier. The volume places Portugal 16% above the global average and 32% above the European average.

The report highlights a surge in ransomware activity (33% year‑on‑year growth) and notes that the education sector was the most targeted, followed by public administration and telecommunications. Generative‑AI tools also introduced a new data‑leak risk: one in 26 prompts from corporate networks was deemed high‑risk, affecting 85% of firms that regularly use such tools. The ransomware group “The Gentlemen” became the most active, responsible for 17% of attacks in June.

Experts stress the need for stronger AI‑aware security controls and sector‑specific defenses as attackers exploit both traditional vulnerabilities and emerging AI‑driven channels.