Ransomware Pressure Now Reaches Employees' Homes and Families
Help Net Security, Monday, October 19th, 2026
Semperis survey: attackers threatened staff families at 37% of ransomware victims, and swatting and doxxing are now part of the playbook.
Semperis' 2026 Ransomware Risk Report surveyed 1,200 IT and security professionals at organizations hit by ransomware.
At 37%, attackers threatened employees' family members or friends; a quarter said staff or relatives needed medical or psychological treatment, and 23% reported swatting.
Doxxing, stalking and threats of physical harm were also described, and some employees changed jobs or homes.
The report advises documenting response roles across the organization and including procedures for threats against people outside the company in incident response plans.