Check Point Software’s 2026 Cyber Security Report Shows Global Attacks Reach Record Levels as AI Accelerates the Threat Landscape

Core Insights - Organizations experienced an average of 1,968 cyber attacks per week in 2025, marking a 70% increase since 2023, driven by the use of automation and AI by attackers [2][4] - AI is transforming the nature of cyber attacks, enabling more personalized and scalable attacks, and necessitating a reassessment of security measures [3][4] Cyber Attack Trends - The report indicates a shift towards integrated, multi-channel attack campaigns that combine human deception with machine-speed automation [4] - Ransomware operations have become more fragmented, with a 53% year-over-year increase in extorted victims and a 50% rise in new ransomware-as-a-service groups [5] - Social engineering tactics have expanded beyond email, with a 500% surge in ClickFix techniques and more structured phone-based impersonation attempts [5] Security Recommendations - Organizations should rethink security design and enforcement to defend against AI-driven threats, rather than merely reacting faster [5] - AI-driven attacks are becoming more autonomous, with 89% of organizations encountering risky AI prompts, and one in every 41 prompts classified as high risk [5] - Security strategies must protect the digital workspace, where human trust and AI-driven automation intersect, across various platforms [5] Infrastructure Vulnerabilities - Unmonitored edge devices, VPN appliances, and IoT systems are increasingly exploited as operational relay points, blending into legitimate network traffic [5] - An analysis revealed security weaknesses in 40% of 10,000 Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, highlighting risks as AI systems become embedded in enterprise environments [5] Strategic Approaches - Organizations should adopt a prevention-first approach to stop threats before they can propagate, given the machine-speed nature of attacks [9] - Consistent visibility and enforcement across hybrid environments are essential to reduce blind spots and strengthen resilience [9]