In an evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity threats are projected to increase in complexity, particularly as autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) assumes a prominent position within businesses. With the integration of AI, organizations face new risks that could lead to data leaks, increased internal threats, and compliance challenges. Without adequate controls in place, enterprises deploying AI assistants may inadvertently expose sensitive information or create internal vulnerabilities.
AI as Internal Risks
According to expert predictions, by 2026, AI agents will outpace human employees as primary sources of internal data leaks. As companies increasingly adopt AI copilots and assistants—a trend often occurring without a clear grasp of existing data management issues—sensitive company information may be unintentionally revealed or accessed by unauthorized individuals. These AI systems can inherit legacy vulnerabilities such as excessive sharing permissions and outdated access rights across various platforms, including cloud storage and company intranets.
In this new paradigm, AI agents will operate as distinct identities in IT environments, each equipped with individual profiles and trust scores. Security teams will need to expand their identity management frameworks to effectively oversee these AI entities. Moreover, cybercriminal tactics may shift from targeting human users with phishing campaigns to attempting to deceive AI agents into divulging confidential data through manipulated commands or prompts.
“Security teams will no longer focus solely on human actors; they will be forced to treat their AI agents as first-class identities,” stated Ravi Ithal, Chief Product and Technology Officer for AI Security at Proofpoint. This shift emphasizes the necessity for robust monitoring and management of AI privileges and behavior.
Strengthened Regulatory Frameworks
As AI technology integrates deeper into business processes, countries like Australia are poised to enhance cybersecurity regulations. Recent incidents where hastily deployed AI tools contributed to data breaches have raised alarms about data handling practices. In response, the Australian government is scrutinizing regulatory frameworks for AI, acknowledging that while certifications like ISO 42001 offer some support, they may fall short given the risks associated with widespread AI adoption.
Organizations are urged to conduct thorough audits of their AI usage, bolster information governance, and align governance structures with international standards in anticipation of forthcoming regulatory changes. Particularly in the public sector, heightened compliance requirements are likely to prompt Australian firms to reevaluate their internal policies and compliance strategies.
“To prepare, organizations should proactively audit their AI use, tighten data handling controls, and align governance,” advised Adrian Covich, Vice President of Systems Engineering for Proofpoint in Asia-Pacific and Japan. Such proactive measures are essential for aligning with anticipated regulations and market expectations.
The Evolution of Cyber-Espionage
The landscape of cyber-espionage is expected to become more discreet and sophisticated by 2026. Actors, particularly those with nation-state backing, are increasingly moving away from traditional methods such as phishing emails. Instead, they are leveraging encrypted messaging applications and direct dialogues to cultivate trust prior to executing attacks, complicating detection efforts for organizations.
Enhanced targeting of Western entities, especially in sectors like technology, defense, and policy, has been observed, particularly from threat actors in South Asia and India. These attacks often coincide with significant geopolitical events, with adversaries employing techniques such as device code phishing and legitimate management tools to navigate networks undetected. By utilizing common platforms for nefarious activities, these espionage efforts blur the lines between malicious actions and regular business operations.
“In 2026, the most effective espionage won’t be loud or flashy; it’ll be invisible, hiding in plain sight behind the tools and platforms we trust every day,” warned Alexis Dorais-Joncas, Head of Espionage Research at Proofpoint. This statement underscores the need for businesses to adopt vigilant monitoring and robust cybersecurity strategies to counteract these sophisticated threats.
