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ZDNET's key takeaways
In 2026, weaponized AI will cause unprecedented harm.
Malicious AI agents will evade detection as they roam networks.
CISOs must upskill their teams to deal with AI-related threats.
Looking back at the biggest cybersecurity breaches and intrusions of 2025, here's what I wonder: Will those trends continue unabated into the new year? Or, will 2026 be full of new surprises as threat actors attempt to stay one step ahead of the cybersecurity pros trying to anticipate their next move?
According to the threat intelligence and cybersecurity experts I've talked to, it's likely to be a bit of each. And it should come as no surprise that artificial intelligence topped the threat list for many researchers.
Also: How these state AI safety laws change the face of regulation in the US
[For this report, I checked in with seven organizations, all trusted sources for my cybersecurity reporting during 2025.]
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