Google Cloud released its **Cybersecurity Forecast 2026** report in November 2025, warning that **artificial intelligence** will transform the threat landscape by supercharging attacks and defenses alike. Threat actors will integrate AI into routine operations to accelerate the speed, scope, and effectiveness of campaigns—from automated phishing to sophisticated ransomware. At the same time, defenders can leverage AI agents for faster threat hunting and response. The report, informed by Mandiant and Google Threat Intelligence frontline data, highlights evolving risks in cybercrime, nation-state activity, virtualization, and blockchain while urging proactive preparation.

Key Forecast Trends

Google experts predict AI will move from experimental to standard use by adversaries in 2026, enabling autonomous campaigns across the attack lifecycle. Cybercrime ecosystems will grow more resilient, with ransomware combined with data extortion remaining the most disruptive global threat. Nation-state actors will refine tactics, targeting critical infrastructure, supply chains, and emerging technologies like blockchain.

**Shadow AI risks** — Unauthorized AI agents create blind spots in identity and access management.

**AI arms race** — Attackers use generative AI for phishing, code generation, and evasion; defenders deploy agentic AI for security operations and predictive remediation.

**Ransomware evolution** — Multifaceted extortion (encryption + data theft) surges, with AI automating encryption and exfiltration.

**Virtualization and cloud exploits** — First major attacks on hypervisors, containers, and hybrid environments emerge as endpoints harden.

**Blockchain and crypto threats** — On-chain cybercrime rises, including decentralized extortion and tokenized asset attacks.

**Nation-state persistence** — Chinese, Russian, and Iranian actors escalate espionage, disruption, and influence operations.

Impact and Recommendations

• Accelerated threats → AI lowers barriers for attackers, scaling campaigns and exploiting new surfaces like virtualization and blockchain.
• Defensive opportunity → AI empowers faster detection and response, but introduces risks like prompt injection and shadow agents.
• Global disruption → Ransomware/extortion and nation-state operations remain top financial and geopolitical risks.
• Recommendations: Adopt AI-powered defenses and agentic security operations for proactive threat hunting.
• Strengthen identity governance for non-human (AI agent) identities and implement zero-trust across hybrid/cloud environments.
• Prepare for virtualization attacks with layered security and monitoring of hypervisors/containers.
• Monitor blockchain activity and harden crypto-related assets against on-chain threats.
• Build resilience through threat intelligence sharing and preparation for nation-state persistence.

2026 will usher in a new era for cybersecurity. Threat actors will leverage AI to escalate the speed, scope, and effectiveness of their attacks. — Google Cloud Cybersecurity Forecast 2026

Source and full details:

Google Cloud: Cybersecurity Forecast 2026 Report:

https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/cybersecurity-forecast-2026