UK Manufacturers hit by 1.8 million ransomware attacks in five months

19th August 2026

UK Manufacturers hit by 1.8 million ransomware attacks in five months

New data reveals Britain’s manufacturing sector is now the nation’s top target for cyber extortion. Between January and May 2026, sensors from SonicWall recorded 1.84 million ransomware attempts on UK industrial facilities, with factory floor intrusion attempts already running 28% higher than full-year 2025 totals. Attackers are swapping scattergun methods for targeted strikes on high-value plants. Almost all hits (1.79 million) stemmed from the Filecoder ransomware family and were concentrated on just two sensors - a deliberate effort to halt production lines where downtime causes maximum financial damage.

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
msimms@theengineeringnetwork.co.uk

EDITORS CHOICE

Are you ready for MachineBuilding.Live and FoodManufacturing.Live this October?

Mark your diary. On Wednesday 14th October, MachineBuilding.Live and FoodManufacturing.Live land side by side at the NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, for one jam-packed day of industrial automation insight. The event is free to attend for machine builders, systems integrators and manufacturing professionals.

Drive technology for intelligent strength and rehabilitation training

The milon Q+ fitness machines use smooth-running STOBER helical bevel gearboxes to execute precise motions in fitness and rehabilitation applications.

SICK launches AI-powered 3D quality inspection

New configurable AI-powered 3D machine vision from SICK combines deep learning with precise height data analysis via its Nova foundation software. The company has equipped its Nova machine vision platform with AI deep learning algorithms to enable ...

Compression latch and constant torque hinge for premium marine applications

In today's premium marine environments, design consistency has become as critical as performance. As darker finishes and contrast driven interiors define modern vessels, even small hardware details play an outsized role in the overall experience.

Right-sizing control and motion without compromising future flexibility

While some machines require advanced motion control and high-performance hardware, many do not. Here, Karl Walker, business development manager at Beckhoff Automation UK, explains why right-sizing automation can reduce costs and provide a ...

CASE STUDIES, NEW PRODUCTS & NEWS

New DIN 3015-compliant tube clamps

To ensure stability, secure anchoring and orderly installations, Elesa expands its range with the new DCE tube clamps, compliant with the DIN 3015 standard and designed for the reliable fastening of rigid and flexible pipes across a wide range of ...

Engineering electric drive systems for aviation

Modern aircraft rely on highly integrated electric drive systems to deliver precise control and reliability in demanding operating environments. Selecting the right development approach for these subsystems can simplify integration, reduce ...

EVENTS & COURSES

Book your CPD-accredited workshops and hands-on IO-Link training confirmed for October

Diary date: NAEC Stoneleigh Park | Wednesday, 14th October 2026, 09:00 - 15:00 | MachineBuilding.Live and FoodManufacturing.Live.

Advertise with Industrial Technology

Industrial Technology provides suppliers targeting the design engineering, machine building and systems integration community with a single brand of fully integrated marketing platforms that deliver genuine opportunities to reach, influence and sell to a premium quality, identified audience of professionals.

Download the media pack

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

We are sending you this newsletter because you requested it or you have a connection to one of the companies on the Industrial Technology website (for example you might be the marketing manager, PR agent or advertising agent). Under GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation), the lawful basis on which we are sending you the newsletter is therefore either Consent or Legitimate Interest. Follow the link to read our Privacy Policy . You can unsubscribe by clicking the link in the footer of this newsletter.