The cybersecurity threats of 2026 are expected to become more complex and harder to contain. keeping that in mind, Samsung SDS has released its assessment of the five most significant risks enterprises should prepare for this year.
Based on its analysis of domestic and international incidents from the previous year, Samsung’s report spells out AI-based security threats, ransomware, cloud security threats, phishing and account takeovers, and data security threats as the most pressing cybersecurity trends shaping the enterprise risk landscape.
To support its findings, Samsung SDS surveyed 667 IT and security practitioners, managers, and executives in Korea. Based on their feedback, the company also outlined recommended countermeasures tailored to each category of risk.
AI at the Center of Cybersecurity Threats of 2026
Among the most prominent cybersecurity threats of 2026 are those tied to the rapid proliferation of generative AI and AI agents. As AI systems increasingly operate as autonomous task-performing entities, the risks associated with over-delegation and privilege misuse grow substantially.
Samsung SDS warns that AI agents granted excessive permissions may enable data exfiltration, unauthorized transactions, or even system damage. To reduce exposure, the company stresses the importance of enforcing the principle of least privilege when granting AI system access.
For high-risk tasks such as modifying information or processing payments, the firm recommends real-time monitoring and anomaly detection through AI Guardrails. These guardrails function as control technologies designed to keep AI systems operating within defined safety boundaries. Like physical guardrails that prevent vehicles from leaving the road, AI Guardrails are meant to block harmful outputs and unintended behaviors while triggering user approval workflows when anomalies are detected.
Yong-min Chang, Vice President and Leader of the Security Business Team at Samsung SDS, stated: “The proliferation of AI and AI agents will amplify new security threats, including phishing, data exfiltration, and attacks targeting AI usage environments. As these threats cannot be addressed by traditional security solutions alone, enterprises must shift from security that relies on specialized personnel to AI-powered security solutions that enable proactive responses through AI-based monitoring, detection, and automated blocking.”
Ransomware and Cloud Risks Shape Cybersecurity Trends
Ransomware continues to rank high among cybersecurity threats of 2026, but its tactics are evolving. Samsung SDS describes a shift toward “quadruple extortion” attacks. These campaigns involve:
- Encrypting company data,
- Threatening to leak stolen information,
- Launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and
- Exerting pressure on customers, partners, and even media outlets connected to the victim organization.
To counter these developments, Samsung SDS advises companies to secure backup systems capable of enabling early recovery and normalization. A phased incident response approach is also recommended, including pre-execution blocking of malicious code, anomaly detection, containment and analysis, and structured recovery procedures. Regular employee training and unannounced drills are emphasized to ensure operational readiness.
Cloud security threats represent another major pillar of cybersecurity trends for 2026. As enterprises migrate IT workloads to cloud environments, misconfigurations remain a primary cause of breaches. Excessive storage sharing, poorly managed authentication and authorization, and unchanged default settings continue to create exploitable vulnerabilities.
Samsung SDS recommends continuous monitoring through Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP). These systems enable real-time visibility into account privileges and resource configurations, while automatically detecting and remediating insecure settings such as public exposure or missing encryption, based on predefined policies.
Phishing, Account Takeovers, and Data Security Threats
Phishing and account takeover attacks are also central to the cybersecurity threats of 2026. Phishing campaigns are designed not just to deceive individuals but to infiltrate entire organizations. Attackers aim to gain internal network access, exfiltrate sensitive data, deploy ransomware, and establish footholds for supply chain attacks.
Such incidents can lead to personal data leaks, service disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. Samsung SDS stresses that access privileges granted to AI systems, including chatbots and AI agents, must be tightly controlled. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which requires additional verification beyond usernames and passwords, should be applied universally to all entities accessing enterprise systems. Integrated management of accounts, roles, and access policies is also recommended.
Data security threats round out the list. These risks often stem from single-factor authentication, excessive privileges, and inadequate oversight of user activity. Samsung SDS suggests implementing action-based access controls that monitor behaviors such as large file downloads, external data transfers, and logins during unusual hours. Additionally, organizations are encouraged to assess the security posture of suppliers and partners as part of enterprise-wide risk management efforts.
