Experian forecasts advanced cyber threats for 2026
Experian, an information services company specialising in credit reporting and fraud prevention, has released its 2026 Data Breach Industry Forecast, providing an outlook on the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
The report anticipates that 2026 may see a rise in increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks powered by artificial intelligence, coupled with growing threats stemming from quantum computing and other cutting-edge technological weaknesses.
Entering its 13th edition, the forecast outlines six major trends that illustrate how cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies to fabricate credible identities, evade detection, and exploit new digital environments.
Covering everything from synthetic identities and self-operating AI agents to adaptive malware and weaknesses in brain-computer interfaces, the 2026 outlook paints a picture of cyberattacks that are becoming ever more personalised, relentless, and technically advanced.
“Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and cybercriminals are often the first to adopt tools like AI to outpace defences and exploit vulnerabilities,” added Michael Bruemmer, Vice President of Global Data Breach Resolution at Experian.
“It’s an uphill battle but organisations can also harness these same innovations to strengthen their security posture. With the right preparation and use of technology, companies can be in a solid position to combat attacks, but they should also be ready to deal with the fallout of a security incident.”
During the first half of 2025, more than 8,000 data breaches were reported worldwide, exposing approximately 345 million records. Among Experian clients, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada were the most severely affected.
“We’re entering a new era where cyberattacks are no longer just about stealing data, they’re about manipulating reality,” added Jim Steven, Head of Crisis and Data Response Services at Experian Global Data Breach Resolution in the United Kingdom. “Organisations must prepare for threats that are faster, smarter, and harder to detect. The time to act is now.”
Research by Experian among consumers in the US and UK indicates rising concern over increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, particularly those influenced by AI. Younger generations appear more susceptible to scams, and many victims feel unsupported after a data breach. Public confidence in organisations’ ability to defend against complex cyber threats is low.
Among the findings, one in four US millennial adults reported being victims of identity theft in the past year, nearly a quarter experienced phishing attacks, and over 80% expressed concern about AI-generated identities that are indistinguishable from real people.
More than one-third of US adults fear personal liability for work-related cybersecurity errors, 69% are doubtful or unsure about their bank or retailer’s preparedness for AI-driven attacks, and 76% believe cybercrime will continue to rise due to AI.
In the UK, 25% of millennial adults experienced identity theft in the past year, one in three worry about harming their professional reputation due to cybersecurity errors, and over 60% of those affected by breaches felt organisations failed to provide sufficient support.
The post Experian forecasts advanced cyber threats for 2026 appeared first on ReinsuranceNe.ws.
