Hackers Exploit AI Tools to Intensify Ransomware Attacks on European Organizations

European organizations are facing an unprecedented surge in ransomware attacks as cybercriminals increasingly adopt artificial intelligence and sophisticated social engineering tactics to breach defenses and accelerate their operations.

According to the latest CrowdStrike 2025 European Threat Landscape Report, big game hunting ransomware adversaries have named approximately 2,100 European-based victims on more than 100 dedicated leak sites since January 2024, with Europe now representing the second most targeted region globally after North America.

The threat landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation through 2025, marked by the emergence of advanced attack techniques that combine human ingenuity with technological sophistication.

Hackers have begun leveraging AI capabilities to streamline their operations, dramatically reducing the time between initial network access and ransomware deployment.

SCATTERED SPIDER, one of the region’s most aggressive cybercriminal groups, exemplifies this trend. In 2024, the adversary averaged 35.5 hours between initial access and ransomware deployment ...