8 Cybersecurity Trends to Watch in 2026

Cybercrime cost businesses an estimated $10.5 trillion in 2025, and that figure is projected to climb to $15.63 trillion by 2029, according to VikingCloud.

One of the best ways to protect against cybercrime is to stay up to date on the latest cybersecurity trends. The following are eight key trends in cybersecurity to keep in mind for 2026 and beyond.

1. AI and Machine Learning

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has both helped and hindered cybersecurity efforts, as attackers and defenders have used the two to ramp up operations. According to the World Economic Forum, 94% of respondents believe that AI and machine learning technologies will significantly impact cybersecurity over the next 12 months.

“The use of AI and machine learning has undoubtedly complicated cybersecurity,” says Tiffany Laitola, academic department chair in the School of Business and Information Technology at Purdue Global. “A layered defense approach is still necessary, but greater diligence from cybersecurity professionals and all users is needed to implement and exercise these layered defenses.”

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2. Smart Homes and IoT Security

More than 39 billion connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices will be in operation worldwide by 2030, according to IoT Analytics’ projections, and that could rise to more than 50 billion by 2035. As the number of devices and their interconnectivity grow, so do cyber threats.

“Anytime there is an introduction of new devices — more assets into an environment — there is an increase in the attack surface for cybercriminals to commit malicious acts,” says Laitola. “One more device connected is just one more device that can become susceptible to a possible attack.”

A possible security issue businesses and individuals may face is that they now have an additional item to manage and secure against attack. “Exercise the same diligence with this newly added device as you did with the others already interconnected,” Laitola advises.

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3. Multifactor Authentication and Going Passwordless

The global multifactor authentication (MFA) market was valued at $26.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately $129.6 billion by 2035, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% during that period, Globe Market Research reports. Use of multifactor authentication will continue to grow and will be even more prevalent in 2026 and beyond, Laitola predicts.

Simultaneously, there is growing interest in going passwordless — using biometrics, a QR code displayed at login, a physical USB key, hardware tokens — to validate the user. Passwordless authentication, including passkeys, can provide a seamless login experience while eliminating password-related risks. The global passwordless authentication market is projected to grow to $55.70 billion by 2030, Grand View Research reports, representing a 17% CAGR from 2025 to 2030.

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4. Zero Trust Systems

In a zero trust system, all users are assumed to be untrustworthy and must verify their identities and devices at every login attempt, regardless of location or network, to ensure each has the right privileges and attributes. According to ORDR, the global zero trust architecture market reached $31.84 billion in 2026, and it is projected to grow to $86.38 billion by 2032 at an 18% CAGR.

While 82% of organizations consider universal zero trust network access essential, only 17% have fully implemented it, according to cybersecurity protection firm ORDR.

“While zero trust systems can enhance overall security, implementation has some challenges,” says Laitola. “These systems require a high level of diligence and time to correctly identify each user, application, or device in their environment. This can be a large undertaking for some organizations, which could be a deterrent to implementation.”

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5. Regulatory Compliance

“Regulatory compliance is ever-changing and growing to hold accountable those who handle data in and through their hands and systems,” says Laitola. “With the privacy laws and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, chief information security officers can now be held personally and legally responsible for data breaches. Adhering to the regulatory requirements has never been more important.”

6. Ransomware-as-a-Service

Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a cybercrime business model in which ransomware developers create and maintain the malicious software and other tools needed to carry out attacks. They then make those resources available to other cybercriminals, known as affiliates, who conduct the attacks and typically share a portion of any ransom payments with the developers.

You can think of RaaS as a criminal franchise. The developers create and maintain the tools, while the affiliates use them to carry out attacks. Because affiliates don’t have to develop ransomware themselves, RaaS can make sophisticated cyberattacks accessible to criminals with fewer technical skills.

The number of ransomware incidents reported by businesses globally has more than doubled over the last five years, according to a 2025 Verizon report.

7. Supply Chain Attacks

A supply chain attack occurs when cybercriminals target a trusted third party (such as a software provider, vendor, or service partner) to gain access to another organization’s computer systems. Rather than attacking the organization directly, hackers exploit the access or software provided by the third party, potentially creating a backdoor into customer networks. This makes supply chain attacks particularly challenging because they take advantage of established relationships and trusted technology.

According to a 2026 report from Check Point, supply chain attacks nearly doubled, increasing 93% from 154 incidents in 2024 to 297 in 2025.

8. AI-Generated Deepfakes for Fraud

AI-generated deepfakes are realistic-sounding/looking audio files, videos, or images that impersonate real people. Cybercriminals use voice or video cloning to pose as employers or coworkers and persuade people to transfer money, share sensitive information, or bypass security procedures.

According to a 2025 Gartner survey, 62% of organizations reported experiencing a deepfake attack involving social engineering or the exploitation of automated processes in the previous 12 months.

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