Cybersecurity experts are preparing for a year of rapid change, as AI is expected to significantly influence both cyber threats and defenses in 2026, according to Google’s Cybersecurity Forecast 2026. Automated attacks, sophisticated social engineering, and evolving digital operations are reshaping the risk landscape for businesses worldwide.
AI at the Center of Cyber Operations
By 2026, AI is projected to become a standard tool in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity measures. Adversaries are already leveraging AI to automate phishing campaigns, clone voices, and generate realistic disinformation. One emerging threat is “prompt injection,” which manipulates AI systems to bypass safeguards and execute hidden commands.
Organizations deploying large language models in business processes may face new risks as these attacks become easier to carry out and harder to detect. AI is also enhancing social engineering, with voice cloning and automated messaging enabling more convincing phishing and vishing attempts.
AI-driven agents—systems that act autonomously to complete tasks—are becoming increasingly common. These agents require distinct digital identities and strict access controls, as traditional human-centric security frameworks may not suffice. Analysts will increasingly rely on AI to review alerts and summarize cases, accelerating responses while introducing new oversight considerations.
Expanding Cybercrime Threats
Ransomware, data theft, and combined attacks targeting both data and operations continue to grow globally. Supply chain vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits are increasingly used to reach multiple targets simultaneously.
Financial systems, including blockchain platforms, are being exploited by attackers to move assets and obscure their activities. While blockchain can provide transparency for investigators, it also offers opportunities for criminals to conceal illicit transactions.
Industrial and enterprise software supporting operational technology remains a key target, with attacks capable of disrupting production and critical services. Organizations are encouraged to secure not only applications but also underlying virtualization platforms that host multiple workloads.
State-Linked Activity and Global Implications
Nation-state and state-linked cyber operations are expected to remain active in 2026, focusing on objectives such as espionage, influence campaigns, and digital infrastructure targeting. This includes activities directed at third-party service providers and emerging technologies like AI systems and semiconductors.
Experts note that the combination of AI-powered attacks, evolving cybercrime tactics, and state-linked activity underscores the need for enhanced digital resilience. Businesses are advised to implement strong identity management, monitor AI usage, strengthen supply chain security, and invest in infrastructure protections.
Billy Leonard, tech lead at Google Threat Intelligence Group, stated, “Unrestricted AI tools available in underground networks lower the barrier for many attackers, highlighting the importance of governance and oversight in AI deployment.”
John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab added that threat notifications and early detection measures help impose costs on malicious actors and often initiate investigations that improve accountability in cybersecurity.
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