Cybersecurity new data breach study 2026; how to protect your identity? - WTVC

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WATCH Cybersecurity new data breach study 2026; how to protect your identity? by Fallon Howard Sun, December 7, 2025 at 10:03 AM Play/Pause Video Quality auto 640x360, 1041kbps 854x480, 1241kbps 1280x720, 3511kbps Speed 0.25x 0.5x normal 1.5x 2x Audio Track Audio Quality auto Subtitlesopen off Font size default 50% 75% 100% 150% 200% 300% 400% Font style default italic bold Font family default monospaced serif proportional serif monospaced sans serif proportional sans serif casual cursive small capital Font color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Font opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% Character edge default raised depressed uniform drop shadowed Character edge color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Window color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Window opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% BackReset 00:00 00:48 PlayMute Picture-in-PictureApple AirPlayGoogle CastVRSettingsFullscreen Cybersecurity new data breach study 2026; how to protect your identity? Replay logo Photo Credit: Experian Data Breach Predictions for 2026 B-Roll 0 Comment Share TOPICS: CYBERSECURITY DATA BREACH IDENTITY PROTECTION ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WOMEN HACKERS CYBERCRIME QUANTUM COMPUTING CONSUMER TIPS CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite extensive research and many companies increasing their budgets, cybersecurity breaches are still on the rise. In fact, there have been more than 8,000 global data breaches in the first half of 2025, with approximately 345 million records exposed. Experian’s 13th annual “data breach industry forecast” examines the latest trends and makes some surprising predictions. Play/Pause Video Quality auto 640x360, 1041kbps 854x480, 1241kbps 1280x720, 3511kbps Speed 0.25x 0.5x normal 1.5x 2x Audio Track Audio Quality auto Subtitlesopen off Captions (CC1) Font size default 50% 75% 100% 150% 200% 300% 400% Font style default italic bold Font family default monospaced serif proportional serif monospaced sans serif proportional sans serif casual cursive small capital Font color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Font opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% Character edge default raised depressed uniform drop shadowed Character edge color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Window color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Window opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% BackReset 00:00 03:17 PlayMute Picture-in-PictureApple AirPlayGoogle CastVRSettingsFullscreen FHO Cybersecurity breach segment 12.7.25 Replay logo FHO Cybersecurity breach segment 12.7.25 Experts say cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies to create more convincing identities, evade detection, and exploit new digital frontiers. We had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Bruemmer, Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection, who focuses on the latest trends in cybercrime. “This is our 13th annual prediction, and five out of the six predictions involve artificial intelligence or AI. Some of the fun ones we talk about are agentic AI, as well as quantum computing combined. The fact that we have polymorphic malware. When you call our prediction now, you see it now, you don't. And then we do have one prediction that stands out, not necessarily about AI, but it's about Girls Just Want to Have fun, because right now, with many more women joining the cyber workforce, we have a lot more women who are becoming hackers, said Michael Bruemmer, Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection.” 3 “So we believe that the number of women in the cybersecurity, hacking world is going to double in 2026 and between 2017 and today, the percent of women in cyber security has gone from 11 to almost 35% and finally, with the advent of STEM programs, as well as many new cyber degrees offered by colleges and universities, and finally, just more jobs in the in the cyber security workforce, That's why women hackers are going to double in 2026, said Michael Bruemmer, Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection.” Play/Pause Video Quality auto 640x360, 1041kbps 854x480, 1241kbps 1280x720, 3511kbps Speed 0.25x 0.5x normal 1.5x 2x Audio Track Audio Quality auto Subtitlesopen off Font size default 50% 75% 100% 150% 200% 300% 400% Font style default italic bold Font family default monospaced serif proportional serif monospaced sans serif proportional sans serif casual cursive small capital Font color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Font opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% Character edge default raised depressed uniform drop shadowed Character edge color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Background opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Window color default white black red green blue cyan yellow magenta Window opacity default 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% BackReset 00:00 00:48 PlayMute Picture-in-PictureApple AirPlayGoogle CastVRSettingsFullscreen Cybersecurity new data breach study 2026; how to protect your identity? Replay logo Photo Credit: Experian Data Breach Predictions for 2026 B-Roll Experts also advise how to best protect yourself from being hacked, whether at work or even in personal matters. “There are a number of consumer tips, but I always lead with don't click on any links that appear malicious. Don't use any QR codes, because humans can't determine a regular QR code from a fake one. Never use public Wi Fi. Always use a virtual credit card when shopping. Make sure that you have encryption and VPN turned on for your device, whether it's a phone or a laptop, and then you can always sign up for experience identity works for free identity theft protection, said Bruemmer, Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection.” Photo Credit: Experian Data Breach Predictions for 2026 B-Roll The overall message that experts want to advise is to be mindful of any links that you click on and look into identity protection, as the world of technology is ever-changing. 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