Check Point Software’s 2026 Cyber Security Report Shows Global Attacks Reach Record Levels as AI Accelerates the Threat Landscape - Yahoo Finance

This is a paid press release. Contact the press release distributor directly with any inquiries. Check Point Software’s 2026 Cyber Security Report Shows Global Attacks Reach Record Levels as AI Accelerates the Threat Landscape Check Point Software Technologies Ltd January 28, 2026 4 min read CHKP -1.85% Check Point Software Technologies Ltd Organizations face nearly 2,000 cyber attacks per week as attackers combine automation, AI, and social engineering across multiple channels REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader in cyber security solutions, today released its Cyber Security Report 2026, the company’s 14th annual analysis of global cyber attack trends. The report reveals that organizations experienced an average of 1,968 cyber attacks per week in 2025, representing a 70% increase since 2023, as attackers increasingly leverage automation and AI to move faster, scale more easily, and operate across multiple attack surfaces simultaneously. AI is driving one of the fastest security shifts the industry has experienced, forcing organizations to reassess long-standing assumptions about how attacks originate, spread, and are stopped. Capabilities once limited to highly resourced threat actors are now widely accessible, enabling more personalized, coordinated, and scalable attacks against organizations of all sizes. “AI is changing the mechanics of cyber attacks, not just their volume,” said Lotem Finkelstein, VP of Research at Check Point Software. “We are seeing attackers move from purely manual operations to increasingly higher levels of automation, with early signs of autonomous techniques emerging. Defending against this shift requires revalidating security foundations for the AI era and stopping threats before they can propagate.” Key Findings from the Cyber Security Report 2026 The report highlights a clear shift toward integrated, multi-channel attack campaigns that combine human deception with machine-speed automation: AI-Driven Attacks Become More Autonomous: AI is increasingly embedded across attack workflows, accelerating reconnaissance, social engineering, and operational decision-making. During a three-month period, 89% of organizations encountered risky AI prompts, with approximately one in every 41 prompts classified as high risk, exposing new risks as AI becomes embedded in everyday business workflows. Ransomware Operations Continue to Fragment and Scale: The ransomware ecosystem has decentralized into smaller, specialized groups, contributing to a 53 % year-over-year increase in extorted victims and a 50% rise in new ransomware-as-a-service groups. AI is now being used to accelerate targeting, negotiation, and operational efficiency. Social Engineering Expands Beyond Email: Attackers are increasingly coordinating campaigns across email, web, phone, and collaboration platforms. ClickFix techniques surged by 500%, using fraudulent technical prompts to manipulate users, while phone-based impersonation evolved into more structured enterprise intrusion attempts. As AI becomes embedded in browsers, SaaS platforms, and collaboration tools, the digital workspace is emerging as a critical trust layer for attackers to exploit. Edge and Infrastructure Weaknesses Increase Exposure: Unmonitored edge devices, VPN appliances, and IoT systems are increasingly used as operational relay points to blend into legitimate network traffic. New Risks Emerge in AI Infrastructure: An analysis conducted by Lakera, a Check Point company, identified security weaknesses in 40% of 10,000 Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers reviewed, highlighting growing exposure as AI systems, models, and agents become embedded in enterprise environments. Story Continues View Comments Terms and Privacy Policy Privacy Dashboard