Ransomware up 23% globally as Brazil's army warns of combined cyber‑AI threats

Global ransomware activity rose sharply in 2026, with 665 attacks reported in June – a 23% increase over the same month in 2025 – and a 3% rise in the second quarter versus the first. Criminal groups are focusing on corporate credentials, poorly configured VPNs and privileged accounts, while AI‑generated applications with minimal security testing expand the attack surface.

At the same time, Brazil's Army Intelligence Center released a report stating that cyber‑attacks, transnational organized crime, artificial intelligence, critical‑infrastructure protection and economic pressures now form a single strategic environment that threatens national sovereignty. The assessment follows recent external pressures on Brazil, including US‑led investigations, trade tariffs and debates over the Pix payment system.

Both developments highlight growing concerns that digital vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions are becoming increasingly interconnected across sectors and borders.