Cybersecurity in 2026: Samsung SDS Flags AI-Powered Attacks and Ransomware as Top Threats
In 2026, artificial intelligence isn’t just powering innovation — it’s transforming the threat landscape itself. In its much-anticipated annual cybersecurity forecast, Samsung SDS has identified a new era of cyber risk marked by AI-driven attacks, sophisticated ransomware, and increasingly complex cloud vulnerabilities that corporations must urgently address. (Samsung SDS)
This is more than a list of buzzwords. It’s a stark warning grounded in real incident analysis and surveys of hundreds of IT and security professionals — and it points to how quickly attackers are leveling up their playbooks. (The Korea Times)
Key Cyber Threats Set to Dominate in 2026
🔹 AI-Driven Attacks: The New Frontier
AI is no longer just a defensive tool — it’s now a dual-use technology that attackers are weaponizing. From AI agents with autonomous execution capabilities to malicious automation that can identify vulnerabilities at scale, AI-driven attacks are expected to eclipse traditional threats. Experts worry that poorly governed AI systems could leak data, carry out unauthorized actions, or be co-opted into complex exploitation chains. (Samsung SDS)
To counter this, Samsung SDS recommends robust AI governance frameworks, including:
- Real-time monitoring of automated actions,
- Permission restrictions on sensitive operations, and
- Human approvals for high-risk commands. (The Korea Times)
This trend reflects broader research showing how AI can amplify conventional risks such as social engineering and automated malware creation, underscoring the urgency for explainable and adaptive defence systems. (arXiv)
🔹 Ransomware’s Evolving Playbook
Ransomware is no longer just encrypting files — it’s expanding into quadruple extortion tactics. Today’s attacks might:
- Encrypt critical systems,
- Threaten public exposure of stolen data,
- Launch denial-of-service campaigns, and
- Target a company’s partners, customers or media contacts for leverage. (Samsung SDS)
Security teams are urged to adopt multilayered recovery strategies that include continuous monitoring, automated anomaly detection, and organization-wide incident response planning. (The Korea Times)
🔹 Cloud Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations
As enterprises migrate IT infrastructure to the cloud, misconfigured accounts and weak access controls are rapidly becoming a gateway for breaches. Samsung SDS’s report highlights how neglected default settings and excessive permissions can create openings for attackers. (Samsung SDS)
The recommended approach combines cloud-native protection tools and continuous real-time monitoring to surface issues before they are exploited.
🔹 Phishing and Account Takeover
Rather than fading away, phishing remains a persistent threat — now supercharged by AI. Highly realistic impersonation campaigns, including deepfake voices and sophisticated messaging, are tricking users into revealing credentials or installing malware. (Samsung SDS)
Gone are the “spray-and-pray” tactics of old; attackers now craft targeted phishing attacks that are harder to distinguish from legitimate messages.
🔹 Data Security and Breaches
Data remains a high-value target. Unauthorized access and theft of sensitive information — whether customer, enterprise, or intellectual property — can lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and cascading secondary attacks. (Samsung SDS)
Deploying behavior-based access control and multi-factor authentication are among the defensive measures recommended to mitigate this risk. (Yonhap News Agency)
Why This Matters: The Strategic Shift in Cybersecurity
Samsung SDS’s 2026 threat forecast delivers a key message: traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. As attackers leverage AI to automate, evade, and scale attacks, defenders must respond with AI-powered monitoring, anomaly detection, automated controls, and human-in-the-loop verification systems. (The Korea Times)
This isn’t just about tools — it’s about organizational preparedness. Security teams now face:
- Rapidly evolving threat tactics,
- Expanded attack surfaces across AI and cloud environments, and
- The need for cross-enterprise governance frameworks that unify defense strategies across partners and supply chains. (The Korea Times)
Glossary: Key Terms Explained
AI Agents Software that can autonomously perform tasks and make decisions, often interacting with systems and data without constant human input.
Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) A business model where ransomware tools are offered for hire, lowering the bar for attackers to launch disruptive extortion campaigns.
Cloud Misconfiguration Security weaknesses arising from improper cloud setup — such as overly broad access rights or unsecured settings — often exploited by attackers to gain entry.
Phishing Deceptive attempts to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, typically via email or messages designed to mimic legitimate contacts.
Behavior-Based Access Control Security controls that grant or deny access based on patterns of user activity, not just static credentials.
Source: https://www.techinasia.com/news/samsung-sds-warns-ai-attacks-ransomware-top-risks-in-2026
