AI-fueled hackers now hit firms 1,968 times a week, report finds - Stock Titan

Check Point Software’s 2026 Cyber Security Report Shows Global Attacks Reach Record Levels as AI Accelerates the Threat Landscape Rhea-AI Impact (Neutral) Rhea-AI Sentiment (Negative) Tags AI Rhea-AI Summary Check Point (NASDAQ: CHKP) released its Cyber Security Report 2026, its 14th annual analysis, finding organizations faced an average of 1,968 cyber attacks per week in 2025 (a 70% increase since 2023). The report details AI-driven automation across attacks, with 89% of organizations encountering risky AI prompts and about 1 in 41 prompts deemed high risk. Ransomware extorted victims rose 53% YoY and new RaaS groups increased 50%. Lakera reviewed 10,000 MCP servers, finding weaknesses in 40%. Positive 14th annual Cyber Security Report published Report includes six concrete security recommendations for organizations Lakera completed analysis of 10,000 MCP servers Negative Average of 1,968 attacks/week in 2025 (+70% since 2023) Ransomware extorted victims +53% YoY New ransomware-as-a-service groups increased 50% ClickFix social-engineering techniques surged 500% 89% of organizations encountered risky AI prompts; 1 in 41 prompts high risk 40% of 10,000 MCP servers reviewed showed security weaknesses News Market Reaction – CHKP -1.48% 1 alert -1.48% NEWS EFFECT On the day this news was published, CHKP declined 1.48%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication. Key Figures Weekly cyber attacks: 1,968 attacks per week Attack growth since 2023: 70% increase Organizations with risky AI prompts: 89% of organizations +5 more 8 metrics WEEKLY CYBER ATTACKS 1,968 attacks per week Average experienced by organizations in 2025 ATTACK GROWTH SINCE 2023 70% increase Rise in average weekly cyber attacks since 2023 ORGANIZATIONS WITH RISKY AI PROMPTS 89% of organizations Share encountering risky AI prompts in a three‑month period HIGH‑RISK AI PROMPTS RATE 1 in every 41 prompts Frequency of high‑risk prompts among AI usage RANSOMWARE VICTIMS INCREASE 53% year‑over‑year Increase in extorted ransomware victims RANSOMWARE‑AS‑A‑SERVICE GROWTH 50% rise Increase in new ransomware‑as‑a‑service groups CLICKFIX TECHNIQUE SURGE 500% increase Growth in ClickFix social engineering campaigns MCP SERVERS WITH WEAKNESSES 40% of 10,000 servers Share of Model Context Protocol servers showing security weaknesses Market Reality Check Price: $153.55 Vol: Volume 767,062 vs 20-day ... low vol $153.55 LAST CLOSE VOLUME Volume 767,062 vs 20-day average 1,147,394 (relative volume 0.67). LOW TECHNICAL Trading below 200-day MA at 202.58, about 21.94% under the 52-week high and 5.28% above the 52-week low. Peers on Argus CHKP was down 0.96% while key peers were mixed: FFIV up 0.71%, IOT down 5.21%, N... 1 Up CHKP was down 0.96% while key peers were mixed: FFIV up 0.71%, IOT down 5.21%, NTNX down 4.49%, GDDY down 1.92%, GEN down 1.45%. Only FFIV appeared on the momentum scanner with an 8.44% upside move and no related news, suggesting CHKP’s trading was more stock-specific than sector-driven. Previous AI Reports 5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive) Same Type Pattern 5 events DATE EVENT SENTIMENT MOVE CATALYST Jan 21 AI platform launch Positive -2.4% Announced AI-driven Exposure Management platform for unified risk reduction. Dec 04 AI firewall release Positive +1.9% Released Quantum Firewall R82.10 with 20+ new AI-centric security features. Dec 02 AI security event Positive +0.1% Announced virtual event on securing AI transformation across hybrid environments. Oct 28 AI Cloud Protect Positive +6.2% Launched AI Cloud Protect for enterprise AI factories using NVIDIA BlueField. Oct 28 AI benchmark launch Positive +6.2% Introduced b3 open-source benchmark to test LLM security in AI agents. PATTERN DETECTED Recent AI-tagged announcements have generally been received positively, with four out of five past events showing share price gains despite one notable pullback on an AI exposure management launch. RECENT COMPANY HISTORY Over the last several months, Check Point has repeatedly highlighted AI-focused initiatives. AI-tagged events on Oct 28, 2025 introduced AI Cloud Protect and the b3 benchmark, both followed by 6.18% moves. Subsequent AI-related webinars and product launches on Dec 2–4, 2025 and Jan 21, 2026 produced mixed but mostly positive reactions. Today’s AI-focused cyber threat report continues this narrative of positioning around AI-era security needs. Historical Comparison +3.4% avg move · In the past year, CHKP issued 5 AI-tagged updates with an average move of 3.37%, ranging from a smal... AI +3.4% AVERAGE HISTORICAL MOVE AI In the past year, CHKP issued 5 AI-tagged updates with an average move of 3.37%, ranging from a small pullback to solid single‑digit gains. AI-tagged news has progressed from benchmarks and AI Cloud Protect to firewall upgrades, practitioner events, and exposure management, building a broader AI security portfolio. Market Pulse Summary This announcement underscores escalating AI-driven cyber risk, with organizations facing an average ... Analysis This announcement underscores escalating AI-driven cyber risk, with organizations facing an average of 1,968 weekly attacks and a 70% rise since 2023. It extends Check Point’s AI-centric narrative seen in prior launches like AI Cloud Protect and exposure management. Investors may watch how such thought‑leadership content reinforces demand trends, upcoming earnings on Feb 12, 2026, and adoption of AI-focused security offerings. Key Terms social engineering, ransomware-as-a-service, IoT, VPN, +3 more 7 terms Social Engineering TECHNICAL Ransomware-As-A-Service TECHNICAL IoT TECHNICAL VPN TECHNICAL Model Context Protocol (MCP) TECHNICAL SASE TECHNICAL IoT Systems TECHNICAL AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice. 01/28/2026 - 09:00 AM 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. Recommendations for Security Leaders The Cyber Security Report 2026 shows that defending against AI-driven threats requires rethinking how security is designed and enforced, not simply reacting faster. Based on the trends observed, Check Point recommends that organizations: Revalidate Security Foundations for the AI Era: AI-driven attacks exploit speed, automation, and trust across environments not built for machine-paced threats. Organizations should reassess controls across networks, endpoints, cloud, email, and SASE to stop autonomous, coordinated attacks early. Enable AI Adoption Securely: As AI becomes embedded in daily workflows, blocking its use can increase risk. Security teams should apply governance and visibility to sanctioned and unsanctioned AI usage to reduce exposure from high-risk prompts, data leakage, and misuse. Protect the Digital Workspace: Social engineering now spans email, browsers, collaboration tools, SaaS applications, and voice channels. Security strategies must protect the workspace where human trust and AI-driven automation intersect. Harden Edge and Infrastructure: Unmonitored edge devices, VPN appliances, and IoT systems are increasingly exploited as stealthy entry points. Actively inventorying and securing these assets helps reduce hidden exposure and attacker persistence. Adopt a Prevention-First Approach: With attacks operating at machine speed, prevention-led security is essential to stop threats before lateral movement; data loss, or extortion can occur. Unify Visibility Across Hybrid Environments: Consistent visibility and enforcement across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments reduce blind spots, lower complexity, and strengthen resilience. Availability The full Cyber Security Report 2026 is available for download here. Check Point will also host a livestream discussing key findings and recommendations from the report. Follow Check Point on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and our blog. About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.  Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading protector of digital trust, utilizing AI-powered cyber security solutions to safeguard over 100,000 organizations globally. Through its Infinity Platform and an open garden ecosystem, Check Point’s prevention-first approach delivers industry-leading security efficacy while reducing risk. Employing a hybrid mesh network architecture with SASE at its core, the Infinity Platform unifies the management of on-premises, cloud, and workspace environments to offer flexibility, simplicity and scale for enterprises and service providers. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2025. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.  MEDIA CONTACT: INVESTOR CONTACT: Emilie Beneitez Lefebvre Kip E. Meintzer Check Point Software Technologies Check Point Software Technologies  press@us.checkpoint.com ir@us.checkpoint.com FAQ How many cyber attacks did Check Point report for 2025 and what is the trend for CHKP? Check Point reported an average of 1,968 attacks per week in 2025, a 70% increase since 2023. According to the company, attackers are scaling operations using AI and automation, accelerating attack frequency and complexity. What did Check Point say about AI-driven attack risks in the Cyber Security Report 2026 (CHKP)? According to the company, 89% of organizations encountered risky AI prompts and about 1 in 41 prompts were high risk. The report warns AI is increasing automation, personalization, and speed of attacks across channels. What ransomware trends did Check Point identify that could affect CHKP customers? The report found ransomware extorted victims rose 53% year-over-year and new RaaS groups grew 50%. According to the company, ransomware operations are fragmenting and using AI for targeting and negotiations. What specific social engineering changes did Check Point highlight in 2026 (CHKP)? Check Point highlighted multi-channel social engineering, with ClickFix techniques up 500% and coordinated email, web, phone, and collaboration attacks. According to the company, attackers exploit human trust across digital workspaces and SaaS tools. What did Lakera's analysis reveal about AI infrastructure vulnerabilities in the Check Point report? According to the company, Lakera reviewed 10,000 MCP servers and found security weaknesses in 40% of them. The report flags rising exposure as AI models and agents are embedded in enterprise environments. What recommendations did Check Point give for security leaders in the Cyber Security Report 2026 (CHKP)? The company recommends revalidating security foundations, enabling secure AI adoption, protecting the digital workspace, hardening edge infrastructure, adopting prevention-first approaches, and unifying visibility across hybrid environments.