The landscape of cybersecurity threats is expected to grow noticeably more intricate and difficult to manage by 2026. In response, Samsung SDS has released an insightful report detailing the five key risks that businesses need to prepare for this year. This analysis draws from both domestic and international security incidents recorded in the previous year, shedding light on an evolving cybersecurity environment.
The report highlights artificial intelligence (AI)-based threats, ransomware, cloud security vulnerabilities, phishing and account takeovers, and data security issues as critical trends influencing the enterprise risk landscape. This comprehensive perspective aims to inform organizations on the challenges they may encounter as they navigate this complex digital terrain.
AI Takes the Spotlight in Cybersecurity Threats for 2026
At the forefront of the cybersecurity challenges anticipated for 2026 are threats derived from the fast-growing usage of generative AI and AI agents. As these systems increasingly act as independent operators, the stakes rise significantly regarding over-permissioning and misuse of privileges.
Samsung SDS cautions that AI systems with extensive permissions pose risks such as unauthorized data access, potentially harmful transactions, or even system disruptions. To mitigate these risks, organizations are urged to adopt the principle of least privilege when assigning access conditions to AI systems.
For tasks deemed particularly sensitive—like altering data or handling payments—Samsung recommends employing real-time monitoring and anomaly detection through AI Guardrails. These guardrails act as protective measures to ensure that AI systems function within safe boundaries. Much like physical barriers that prevent vehicles from straying off course, AI Guardrails are designed to obstruct harmful outputs and unintended actions while prompting workflows for user approval when anomalies arise.
Ransomware and Cloud Security: Emerging Trends
Ransomware continues to be a dominant threat in 2026, but the tactics employed are evolving at a rapid pace. Samsung SDS has pointed to a rising trend towards “quadruple extortion” attacks, which now feature a multi-pronged approach. This includes:
- Encrypting corporate data,
- Threatening to release stolen information,
- Executing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and
- Applying pressure on clients, partners, and even media entities linked to the affected organization.
To respond effectively to these threats, Samsung SDS advises companies to ensure that their backup systems facilitate quick recovery and operational normalization. A structured incident response framework is also essential, encompassing pre-blocking of malicious code, anomaly detection, effective containment and analysis, as well as organized recovery procedures. Regular employee training sessions and surprise drills can further bolster preparedness.
Cloud security remains another pivotal aspect of cybersecurity for 2026. As businesses continue to transfer IT workloads to cloud infrastructures, the leading cause of breaches often lies in misconfigurations. Issues like excessive data sharing, poorly managed authentication processes, and failure to update default settings create easily exploitable vulnerabilities.
To counteract these challenges, Samsung SDS recommends utilizing Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP). These tools provide real-time insights into account privileges and resource configurations, along with automatic identification and remediation of insecure settings based on previously established policies.
Tackling Phishing, Account Takeovers, and Data Security Risks
Phishing and account takeover attacks are also poised to play a significant role in the cybersecurity threat landscape of 2026. Current phishing campaigns are designed not only to mislead individuals but to infiltrate entire organizations. The ultimate goal of these attacks is often to access internal networks, exfiltrate critical data, deploy ransomware, or set the stage for supply chain breaches.
Such incidents can ultimately lead to major fallout, including data leaks, disruption of services, financial losses, and damage to an organization’s reputation. Samsung SDS emphasizes the necessity of strictly controlling the access privileges allocated to AI systems, such as chatbots and other AI agents. A universal application of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)—which involves additional layers of verification beyond mere usernames and passwords—is highly recommended for all entities accessing enterprise systems. Furthermore, effective management of account roles and access policies is essential.
Data security threats round out Samsung SDS’s assessment of enterprise risks. These vulnerabilities often stem from relying solely on single-factor authentication and granting excessive access privileges without adequate tracking of user activities. Action-based access controls, which scrutinize behaviors such as large file downloads and data transfers occurring during unusual hours, are suggested as effective countermeasures. Additionally, organizations are advised to evaluate the security protocols of their suppliers and partners to enhance overall risk management strategies.
