The Acceleration of Exploitation
In Q1 2026, PDI observed a 247% surge in exploit activity as attackers compressed the time between vulnerability disclosure and active exploitation. Ransomware activity continued climbing year over year, while credential harvesting operations adapted quickly to law enforcement disruptions.
The result: you have less time to detect and respond—while business risk increases.
Attackers Are Moving Faster Than Ever
Threat actors are financially motivated and opportunistic. They scan for exposed infrastructure, buy stolen credentials, move laterally, exfiltrate data, and apply layered extortion.
As PDI Threat Intelligence Supervisor Josh Smith explains:
“If you take a device and connect it to the open Internet, very quickly it’s going to be scanned and probed. That automation allows threat actors to find exposed infrastructure almost immediately.”
Inside the Q1 2026 Threat Landscape
The Q1 2026 Cyber Threat Landscape Report delivers a concise executive snapshot of:
- The 247% surge in exploit activity
- Year-over-year ransomware growth
- Shifts in dark web marketplace dynamics
- The rise of automation and AI-assisted exploitation
When you download the report, you’ll also gain access to the full recorded analyst briefing featuring Josh Smith, where he breaks down:
- How modern ransomware campaigns unfold
- Why exploit automation is accelerating
- What security leaders should prioritize now
Get the Full Picture
Download the report to understand what the acceleration means for your organization.
