We've entered an era where cybersecurity leaders are being forced to rethink some preconceived notions.

In 2025, there was encouraging news: organizations were beginning to reduce the cost and impact of cyber incidents through greater use of security automation and AI-powered tools. It appeared defenders were finally gaining ground.

Fast forward one year, and the landscape has changed dramatically.

According to IBM's 2026 Cost of a Data Breach Report, AI-driven cyberattacks increased by 56% year over year, while the global average cost of a data breach climbed 12% to nearly USD $5 million. AI-enabled breaches now cost organizations approximately $1 million more than the average breach.

The message is clear: cybercriminals are rapidly adopting AI, and they are moving at machine speed.