Fortinet sees cyberattacks rising with AI, organized crime in 2026

Fortinet sees cyberattacks rising with AI, organized crime in 2026

Cybersecurity firm Fortinet is warning that cyberattacks will become faster, more organized, and increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) in 2026, based on findings from its latest Cyberthreat Predictions Report released by FortiGuard Labs.

The study projects that cybercrime will accelerate next year, shifting from isolated malicious activity into a more structured global industry.

FortiGuard Labs’ analysis suggests that criminal groups will behave more like business organizations, using automation, AI-driven specialization, and predictable workflows to scale their operations.

One of the report’s most urgent concerns is the expected reduction in the time it takes for an attack to cause damage.

With automation and AI tools, the window from initial breach to exploitation may shrink from days to just minutes, leaving organizations with little time to react.

Attackers are also projected to rely less on new techniques and more on optimizing existing ones, prioritizing speed over innovation.

The report also anticipates the use of specialized AI agents that can help criminals steal credentials, analyze stolen data, and generate targeted ransom demands.

While these agents are unlikely to be fully autonomous yet, they are expected to significantly improve attack efficiency.

FortiGuard Labs further predicts that the underground market will mature, offering structured services such as tailored botnets and credential rentals supported by customer service models and reputation systems for cybercriminals.

These developments, the report argues, require a major shift in cybersecurity practices. Defense systems will need to operate at “machine speed,” reducing detection and response intervals from hours to minutes.

Identity verification is expected to become a priority not only for people but also for machine-to-machine interactions, preventing misuse of automated agents.

Fortinet also called for expanded collaboration among governments, industry alliances, and law enforcement, citing initiatives like Interpol’s Operation Serengeti 2.0 and its partnership with Crime Stoppers International.

The company added that education efforts aimed at young or at-risk individuals remain critical to discouraging participation in cybercrime.

Fortinet Philippines country manager Bambi Escalante said during a media briefing last Dec. 5 that organizations can no longer rely on static defenses.

“Static configurations and periodic assessments can’t keep pace with an environment where attackers automate reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and extortion in minutes,” she said.

“What organizations need is a unified, adaptive security posture, one that brings together threat intelligence, exposure management, and incident response into a continuous, AI-enabled workflow.”

source:
https://newsbytes.ph/2025/12/08/fortinet-sees-cyberattacks-rising-with-ai-organized-crime-in-2026/

標籤 : Phitech, 懇懋科技, Fortinet