Experian, an information services company specializing in credit reporting and fraud prevention, has released its 2026 Data Breach Industry Forecast, which provides an outlook on the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
The report predicts that increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks driven by artificial intelligence will likely increase by 2026, along with growing threats posed by vulnerabilities in quantum computing and other cutting-edge technologies.
The forecast, now in its 13th edition, outlines six trends that illustrate how cybercriminals are using emerging technologies to forge trusted identities, evade detection and exploit new digital environments.
The 2026 Outlook covers everything from synthetic identities and self-operating AI agents to adaptive malware and brain-computer interface weaknesses, painting a picture of cyberattacks that are becoming more personalized, ruthless, and technologically advanced.
Michael Bruemmer, vice president of global data breach solutions at Experian, added: “Technology is evolving at an extremely fast pace, and cybercriminals are often the first to adopt tools such as artificial intelligence to overcome defenses and exploit vulnerabilities.”
“It’s an uphill battle, but organizations can also leverage these same innovations to strengthen their security posture. With the right preparation and use of technology, companies can be in a strong position to withstand attacks, but they should also be prepared to deal with the consequences of a security incident.”
In the first half of 2025, more than 8,000 data breaches were reported globally, exposing approximately 345 million records. Among Experian customers, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada were most affected.
“We are entering a new era where cyberattacks are no longer just about stealing data, but about manipulating reality,” added Jim Steven, director of crisis and data response services at Experian Global Data Breach Solutions in the UK. “Organizations must prepare for threats that are faster, smarter and harder to detect. The time to act is now.”
Experian research of US and UK consumers shows growing concern about increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, particularly those influenced by artificial intelligence. Younger generations appear to be more vulnerable to scams, with many victims feeling unsupported after a data breach. Public confidence in organizations’ ability to defend against sophisticated cyber threats is low.
Survey results show that one in four U.S. millennial adults has suffered identity theft in the past year, nearly one in four has experienced a phishing attack, and more than 80% are concerned that AI-generated identities will be indistinguishable from real people.
More than one-third of U.S. adults fear personal liability for work-related cybersecurity mistakes, 69% doubt or are unsure whether their bank or retailer is prepared for an AI-driven attack, and 76% believe cybercrime will continue to rise due to AI.
In the UK, 25% of Millennial adults have experienced identity theft in the past year, a third are concerned that cybersecurity errors will damage their professional reputation, and more than 60% of those affected by a breach feel that organizations have failed to provide adequate support.
