In 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a central force in cybersecurity, transforming the way attacks are launched and how defenses are built and operated.

Generative AI and, subsequently, agentic AI will enable organizations to develop new defensive capabilities, but also to cope with automated attacks. Defenders will regain the advantage through network intelligence and AI pattern recognition, shifting from reaction to predictive defense. Agentic AI will automate DevSecOps processes, managing vulnerabilities without human intervention. At the same time, unauthorized use of AI, referred to as Shadow AI, is becoming a serious threat, requiring clear usage policies. A major AI-generated attack will lead to increased security spending, transforming them into high-level priorities. Additionally, organizations will experience operational failures caused by AI agents acting without human judgment. Attackers will fully automate operations, and zero-day exploits will become more frequent. Organizations must treat AI as an essential security capability, combining automation with governance and human oversight to succeed in this new landscape.