Black Kite’s first mid-market study finds that from 2023 through H1 2026, 73% of ransomware attacks in North America and Europe hit companies with $10M to $1B in annual revenue

BOSTON, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Black Kite, the leader in third-party cyber risk management, today released its newest report, Mid-Market Is the Routine Target: Ransomware, Third-Party Risk, and the Widening AI Gap. Assessing 120,128 mid-market organizations across North America and Europe from an attacker’s perspective, the report examines why these companies bear the brunt of ransomware attacks, and draws on disclosed incident data and external attack-surface scans to understand the pattern and what mid-market companies can do to protect themselves.

“This is the first time we examined the mid-market as a segment in its own right, rather than a set of companies scattered through larger studies,” said Ferhat Dikbiyik, Chief Research & Intelligence Officer (CRIO), Black Kite. “The report is only the beginning. We’re continuously expanding Black Kite with capabilities designed specifically for mid-market organizations, helping smaller security teams identify, prioritize, and reduce cyber risk without requiring enterprise-sized teams or budgets.”

Black Kite’s analysis of 13,336 ransomware incidents with verifiable revenue across North America and Europe from January 2023 to June 2026 found that 73% of those incidents struck mid-market organizations with annual revenues between $10M and $1B. This concentration has proven highly consistent over time: 74.6% in 2023, 72.1% in 2024, 74% in 2025, and 72.3% during the first half of 2026. Even as the absolute number of incidents grew by 44%, surging from 2,320 in 2023 to 3,340 in 2025, the proportion of mid-market targets held firm.

Additional findings from the report:

Nearly three in four (73%) ransomware victims were mid-market companies between 2023 and the first half of 2026. More than half of those victims generated less than $50M in annual revenue.The mid-market’s share of incidents has remained remarkably steady over the four year period, accounting for approximately 72-75% of victims each year, even as the absolute number of ransomware victims increased.Manufacturing was the most targeted industry, representing more than 25% of mid-market ransomware victims, followed by professional, scientific and technical services, and construction.More than one in four mid-market organizations (28.3%) carried at least one known exploited vulnerability (KEV)More than half (54.7%) had at least one significant patch management finding on public-facing software.Nearly half (48.1%) carried at least one disclosed vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.0 or higher.Nearly one in three (32.3%) had at least one stealer log finding.Nearly half (46.8%) had missing or insufficient DMARC protection.

Why the Mid-Market Is Under Pressure
Mid-market organizations face a growing challenge. They are increasingly targeted by ransomware while also exposed to cyber risk across hundreds of third-party vendors. Both require continuous visibility and rapid response, stretching even well-resourced security teams. Mid-market companies also sit inside the vendor profile of the larger organizations they serve. Regulation on both sides of the Atlantic, from the EU’s NIS2 Directive to U.S. rules like NYCRR 500 and HIPAA, increasingly makes a customer responsible for its suppliers’ security, which puts mid-market vendors under direct pressure to prove their posture.

AI Is Widening the Gap
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the discovery of software vulnerabilities, and the same tools that help organizations find flaws in their own systems are also available to attackers. For mid-market companies with smaller security teams and tighter budgets, keeping pace is far more difficult. Published research shows many mid-sized organizations lag in adopting AI for security. ISC2’s 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study found that only 20% of mid-sized organizations have adopted AI tools into their security operations.

The report findings point to a clear conclusion: mid-market exposure is measurable, the obligation to address it is real, and the constraint is capacity. Organizations need security capabilities that help them identify, prioritize, and reduce cyber risk without requiring enterprise-sized teams or budgets.

To help mid-market organizations understand their own exposure, Black Kite is offering a complimentary Ransomware Susceptibility Index® (RSI™) Briefing. Based on Black Kite’s industry-leading ransomware intelligence, the briefing provides:

Your organization’s Ransomware Susceptibility Index® (RSI™)Key findings driving your ransomware riskHow your organization compares to industry peersPrioritized recommendations to reduce cyber risk

Request your complimentary RSI™ Briefing at: https://blackkite.com/free-rsi-rating

Organizations ready to go further can gain ongoing access to Black Kite’s intelligence, including RSI™, FocusTags®, and Digital Breach Intelligence (DBI), and integrate AI into their security program with Black Kite’s AI Agent. Organizations can manage the Black Kite platform either directly or through a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP).

To read the report, visit https://blackkite.com/reports/2026-mid-market-report/

Methodology
This data presented in the report was assembled by the Black Kite Research Group™ from two independent datasets: ransomware incident tracking across North America and Europe, and a snapshot of externally observable risk findings across the monitored mid-market population. The first establishes which companies were attacked. The second describes how companies of this size appear from the internet. The ransomware data spans January 2023 to June 2026 and is analyzed across seven half-year periods. The mid-market is defined by annual revenue, following the Dun & Bradstreet revenue-based definition, with no employee-count criterion applied. Three bands are reported: lower mid-market at $10M to $50M, core mid-market at $50M to $500M, and upper mid-market at $500M to $1B.

About Black Kite
Black Kite is an AI-native third-party cyber risk management platform built for the connected world. By distilling billions of external risk signals from millions of monitored organizations, Black Kite delivers the trusted intelligence that powers a connected defense network, enabling organizations to identify risk earlier, act faster, and move from isolated defense to collective resilience. With Black Kite, organizations benefit from greater control, earlier warning, and the confidence to work safely with third parties at scale. Black Kite has received numerous industry awards and recognition from customers. Learn more at www.blackkite.com, or on the Black Kite blog.

Media Contact:
Michelle Kearney
Hi-Touch PR
443-857-9468
kearney@hi-touchpr.com

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SOURCE Black Kite

CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced today that property owners can now go to cookcountytreasurer.com to view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2025 Tax Year.

“If you own property in Cook County, you don’t have to wait until your tax bill arrives in the mail to see the amount due and confirm your exemptions,” Pappas said.

The Treasurer’s Office plans to mail 1.8 million bills to Cook County property owners on or before Sept. 1. Those 2025 second installment bills will be due a month later on Oct. 1.

“I encourage people to pay online, which is the quickest and most convenient way to pay,” Pappas said.

There’s no fee to pay by transferring funds directly from your bank account, and payments can be made 24 hours a day. Online payments are secure and eliminate the risk of a check being stolen from the mail.

“If you want to be proactive and pay now so you don’t have to think about it, paying online is the best way to do so,” said Pappas. If you’re unable to pay the full amount, you can make partial payments and lower the amount of interest charged on overdue taxes hopefully easing the financial strain a bit.”

Property owners who wish to view, download, print out and electronically pay their bills should visit cookcountytreasurer.com. Once there, select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free” and enter the address or Property Index Number (PIN).

Credit card payments are also accepted online but carry a 2.08% convenience fee paid to the credit card company.

Taxpayers also can pay at nearly 400 Chase Bank locations in Illinois, including those outside Cook County, or at more than 100 participating community banks. But you must bring your physical bill or a copy of it if you choose to pay in person at a bank. Taxpayers can also pay at the Treasurer’s Office at 118 N. Clark St., Room 112, in downtown Chicago.

Lastly, payments can be mailed to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, with the taxpayer’s PIN, contact and property information included. The canceled check serves as the receipt.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/second-installment-2025-tax-bills-are-now-online-two-weeks-before-theyre-mailed-302853287.html

SOURCE Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

Expanded six-series portfolio brings flagship home cinema, bright-room picture performance, lifestyle design and smart entertainment to screen sizes from 32 to 85 inches

Six-Series U.S. portfolio: Z95B OLED; W85C QD-Mini LED; W87C lifestyle QLED; W80C and W75C 4K QLED; and S65C compact QLEDAdvanced picture technologies: Primary RGB Tandem OLED, AI-powered picture processing, local dimming, and Glare Free screen technologies on selected modelsEnhanced gaming performance: Up to 144Hz refresh rates with HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, and AMD FreeSync™ Premium[1] support on select modelsChoice of smart TV experience: Fire TV, Google TV™[2], and Roku TV depending on model

CYPRESS, Calif., Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Panasonic TV, brought to the U.S. market by authorized business partner SKYWORTH USA, announced its expanded 2026 television lineup.

Building on the successful introduction of the products in 2025 with two series, the portfolio now expands to six series for 2026, offering consumers a broader selection across premium and mainstream categories. The lineup includes flagship and accessible OLED models, QD-Mini LED, 4K QLED, a lifestyle TV, and compact smart TVs—ensuring more households can find a Panasonic television that fits their space, viewing preferences, and budget.

From the Z95B flagship OLED to the 32-inch S65C, the lineup combines Panasonic’s renowned picture expertise with technologies designed for modern viewing. Select models utilize AI-powered picture processing to enhance color, contrast and motion on a scene-by-scene basis. Glare Free screen technologies, available on select Mini-LED and QLED models, help minimize reflections in bright environments, while eye care features support more comfortable viewing. Advanced gaming capabilities, immersive audio technologies, and a choice of smart TV experience round out a portfolio built to elevate movies, sports, gaming, streaming, and everyday entertainment.

“The 2026 lineup significantly expands the ways U.S. consumers can experience Panasonic TV – from our flagship OLED picture and sound to bright-room Mini-LED performance, lifestyle design and straightforward smart entertainment. Each series is focused on meaningful picture quality, intuitive use and the features viewers value most.”
– Jake (Yukio) Hirose, Vice President, SKYWORTH USA

A Broader Lineup Built Around Real-World Viewing

Panasonic TV’s 2026 U.S. portfolio is organized to make choosing the right display technologies and sizes simple. OLED delivers cinematic contrast, precise blacks, and premium performance. QD-Mini LED combines exceptional brightness with advanced local dimming for impressive picture quality across a wide range of room conditions. QLED models bring vibrant color and smart features to both large family-room displays and more compact living spaces.

The lineup also reflects the growing convergence of television, gaming, and home design. Selected models feature high-refresh-rate gaming support and advanced connectivity for a smoother, more responsive experience. For picture and sound, Dolby Vision®[3], Dolby Atmos®, and Dolby Audio® are available across select models, bringing you closer than ever to your favorite entertainment. Additional audio technologies—including Surround Sound Pro and Clear Audio+—are tailored to each series. The lifestyle-focused W87C introduces Art Time, blending the screen into a decorative feature when not in use.

Z95B Series: Flagship OLED Picture and Immersive Sound

Leading the 2026 U.S. lineup, the Z95B delivers Panasonic’s most advanced OLED experience for home cinema enthusiasts. Its Primary RGB Tandem Panel features a four-layer emission architecture designed to enhance brightness, color purity, and color volume. Panasonic’s ThermalFlow cooling system helps sustain performance through optimized thermal management and airflow.

Powered by Panasonic’s latest AI picture processor, the Z95B combines Panasonic’s picture expertise with intelligent scene analysis, including 4K remastering, gradation enhancement, and streaming-noise reduction. Dolby Vision transforms every scene with stunning visuals, richer colors, and sharper contrast for an elevated viewing experience. The Z95B also offers Prime Video Calibrated Mode to help preserve creators’ intended image quality on supported content. Calman[4] Ready integration and ISFccc support provide calibration options for professional fine-tuning, as well as calibration capabilities for retailers so that they can provide TV calibration services, resulting in an unprecedented lens-to-living-room entertainment experience for consumers.

A redesigned integrated audio system expands the soundstage and enhances the immersive 360-degree spatial audio experience. For gamers, Game Mode Extreme supports up to 144Hz refresh rates, AMD FreeSync™ Premium, and NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible.

With the new Fire TV experience, customers can get access to Alexa+, Amazon’s generative AI-powered entertainment expert. Alexa+ allows customers to talk naturally to find what they want to watch fast— from across live TV, streaming apps, smart-home controls, and more.

The Z95B will be available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes.

W85C Series: QD-Mini LED Performance for Bright Rooms

The W85C with Google TV brings QD-Mini LED technology to the center of the 2026 lineup. Its Mini-LED backlight delivers deeper blacks, brighter highlights and more dimensional contrast than conventional edge-lit displays. Quantum-dot color and the AI 4K Color Engine work together for vivid, natural-looking images, paired with Glare Free Ultra technology.

Built for both entertainment and gaming, the W85C supports 120Hz OverClock, HDMI 2.1, VRR, and ALLM for smooth and responsive gameplay. Eye care features—including Flicker Free, Low Blue Light, and True Color Aid—help improve viewing comfort while maintaining color accuracy. Dolby Atmos sound brings depth, clarity, and details to your favorite entertainment, while Surround Sound and Clear Audio+ further enhance movies, sports, and gaming.

The W85C will be available in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch screen sizes.

W87C Series: Entertainment Meets Lifestyle Design

Designed to complement modern living spaces, the 55-inch W87C Google TV pairs a canvas-inspired design with 4K Vivid QLED+ picture technology. The AI 4K Color Engine refines color and detail, while Glare Free Max reduces reflections that can distract from both on-screen entertainment and displayed artwork. Surround sound, 120Hz OverClock and HDMI 2.1 support make the W87C equally suited to movie nights, sports and console gaming.

When viewers are not watching traditional content, Art Time transforms the screen into a more expressive part of the home. Art Gallery presents curated imagery; AI Painting provides a creative generative experience; Family Zone gives households a space for personal moments; and Vibes Space helps set the mood of a room.

Additionally, Google TV brings together movies, shows, and live TV from across your apps and subscriptions and organizes them just for you. Users can get curated recommendations, use Google’s powerful search to find shows across 10,000+ apps, or browse hundreds of free channels. And with personalized profiles, everyone’s experience is customized for them.

W80C and W75C Series: Versatile 4K QLED for Everyday Entertainment

The W80C and W75C Series are designed as versatile choices for everyday entertainment, featuring a 4K Vivid QLED+ display and AI 4K Color Engine to enhance color, contrast and clarity across streaming, broadcast television and connected sources. Glare Free Max[5] and eye care technologies—including Flicker Free, Low Blue Light and True Color Aid—help deliver a more comfortable viewing experience.

The W80C features Fire TV, with 120Hz OverClock, Game Mode, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Clear Audio+ for smooth, immersive entertainment. Fire TV offers a new experience that makes it faster and easier to find movies, TV shows, sports, and live content across all your subscriptions, with smarter, more personalized recommendations. The W80C will be available in six screen sizes (43 to 85 inches). The W75C offers the same core picture quality and design with Roku TV built-in, providing another smart TV platform option for customers who prefer the Roku experience. The W75C will be available in a 55-inch screen size in the U.S.

S65C Series: Simple Smart Entertainment for More Rooms

Completing the range, the S65C brings straightforward smart entertainment to bedrooms, kitchens, dorm rooms and other secondary spaces. Vivid QLED+ color and Panasonic TV’s AI Color Engine are designed to make everyday television, movies and streaming look clear and engaging. Flicker Free and Low Blue Light features support more comfortable viewing, while Dolby Audio delivers clear dialogue and consistent sound.

With the Fire TV experience and Bluetooth audio support, the S65C makes it easy to find content and connect compatible wireless audio devices. The series will be available in 32-, 40- and 43-inch screen sizes. The compact selection gives households a consistent smart TV experience in spaces where a larger 4K display may not be the right fit.

2026 U.S. Lineup and Availability

The 2026 Panasonic TV lineup is expected to begin arriving at authorized U.S. retailers in August 2026. Retail availability and final specifications may vary by model and retailer. Pricing and model-level availability will be announced separately.

Note:
Final model numbers, platform assignments, pricing and retailer timing are subject to approval and confirmation before distribution.
The Z95B series continues from 2025.

For more information, please visit: https://television.panasonic.com/

About Panasonic TV

Panasonic-branded TVs in the US are brought to market through a strategic partnership between Panasonic and Shenzhen Skyworth Display Technology Co., Ltd. and its group companies. The partnership combines Skyworth’s global development, manufacturing and scale capabilities with Panasonic’s audiovisual expertise and quality assurance standards, supporting the continued delivery of high-quality Panasonic TV products in the US.

“Panasonic” is a registered trademark of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and is used under license from Panasonic Holdings Corporation. Licensed only in the US.

About SKYWORTH USA

SKYWORTH USA is the North American division of SKYWORTH Group, a global electronics leader founded in 1988 and headquartered in Shenzhen. Built on a foundation of innovation, quality, and sustainability, SKYWORTH USA provides a comprehensive portfolio of display solutions designed with industry-leading visual technology. By engineering products for a variety of applications, SKYWORTH USA ensures high-performance viewing experiences are accessible for every space.

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SOURCE SKYWORTH USA