Threat of the Week: Global Ransomware Escalation - Inside the Asahi Group Breach

October 8th, 2025

Happening now

Japan’s Asahi Group, one of the world’s largest beverage companies, has confirmed it was affected by a ransomware attack. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the cybercrime group known as Qilin. The group says it exfiltrated nearly 27 gigabytes of internal business data, including HR files and other business operations data.

The Asahi breach is only the latest in a wave of ransomware attacks sweeping industries worldwide. It is evidence of a global ransomware escalation that is putting entire industries on alert and also happens to be our threat of the week.

How it went down

• The Qilin ransomware-as-a-service operation posted proof of the breach on its dark-web leak site.

• Stolen data included confidential business contracts and employee data.

• The group has previously targeted companies in Europe, Australia, and the energy sector, signaling a shift towards global, cross-industry attacks.

• Qilin affiliates often combine data theft and encryption, demanding payment in order to prevent leaks.

This fits a larger, developing pattern: ransomware actors are no longer just sitting on encrypted data waiting on payments; they are publicizing attacks to damage the victim’s reputation and to pressure them into paying.

The Bigger Picture: Global Ransomware Escalation

The Asahi incident highlights a disturbing global trend:

• Ransomware is spreading faster- the number of reported attacks is up across manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

• RaaS is lowering barriers- criminals can now “subscribe” to ransomware platforms instead of building their own.

• Data-leak sites are booming- leaking data and publicizing attacks is now a part of ransomware attack strategy.

• Governments are struggling to keep up- international cooperation lags behind the speed of attacks.

The bottom line is that ransomware attacks have become a professional, borderless enterprise. Groups like Qilin, LockBit, and ALPHV/BlackCat operate like startups, with their help desks, marketing, and revenue-sharing systems for their affiliates.

Why it Matters and How to Stay Ahead

Even if you are not an Asahi-sized organization, you are not invisible. Smaller companies often share data or vendors with larger corporations, which makes them indirect entry points for attackers. Here are practical steps any individual or organization can take to better protect themselves from external threats:

• Back up data and keep at least one copy offline.

• Patch vulnerabilities quickly. Many ransomware groups exploit months-old vulnerabilities.

• Enable multifactor authentication.

• Segment your network to prevent a breach from spreading company wide.

• Create a robust incident response plan — before an attack happens.

• Train staff to spot social engineering attempts, which are a leading attack vector.

Ransomware is not fading away, it is franchising. It is important for you to remember that awareness, preparation, and resilience are now your best defenses against this threat, and they are the most essential aspects of your security posture when it comes to facing the emerging threat of global ransomware escalation.

— Ben Skinner