Cybersecurity Threats 2026: WEF Warns
Cybersecurity Threats 2026: WEF Warns
https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/cybersecurity-threats-the-age-ai-4101066
Publish Date: 2026-02-08 16:14:00
Source Domain: www.thedailystar.net
As the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 suggests, the world is entering one of the most dangerous periods in digital history. According to the report released this January, the threats facing businesses and individuals in 2026 are fundamentally transforming at their core while also sparking volumes. The report surveyed over 800 cybersecurity leaders from 92 countries, and their warnings are stark.
AI doubled the sword
A total of 94% of cybersecurity leaders worldwide agree that artificial intelligence will be the most significant driver of change in the cybersecurity space this year, as AI is transforming both sides of the battle. While defenders use it to detect threats more quickly and mitigate risks, attackers are using the same technology to create more sophisticated attacks.
Based on the report, the numbers tell a troubling story. 87% of organisations identified AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk they faced in 2025. Attackers now utilise AI to generate phishing emails that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications. They generate fake voices and videos so realistic that people hand over passwords and financial information to what they believe are their bosses or family members.
In November 2025, researchers at Anthropic reported something unprecedented – an autonomous AI system carried out a complete cyber espionage operation from start to finish without human intervention. It identified targets and vulnerabilities, broke into systems, gathered valuable information, and extracted the data back to its controllers.
Despite growing awareness, more than one-third of organisations still deploy AI tools without checking whether they are secure. They are racing to adopt the latest technology without fully understanding the risks. For the business executives, the primary concern is the risk of data leaking through generative AI systems as they worry that employees using AI tools might…
