Cybersecurity tech and research leader Fortinet has released its latest global threat report, showing that cybercrime is becoming more organized, faster, and increasingly powered by artificial intelligence.
The 2026 Global Threat Landscape Report, based on data from FortiGuard Labs, analyzes cyberattacks in 2025 and finds that hackers are no longer working in isolated campaigns. Instead, they operate like full-scale systems, using automated tools and “shadow agents” to carry out attacks more efficiently.
A key concern is speed. The report says the time it takes attackers to exploit new vulnerabilities has dropped sharply to just 24–48 hours, compared to nearly five days in previous years. In some cases, attacks begin within hours of a vulnerability being made public.
Ransomware attacks have also surged. The report recorded 7,831 victims worldwide in 2025—up nearly 400 percent from the previous year. The most targeted industries were manufacturing, business services, and retail, with the United States reporting the highest number of cases.
Cloud security is another growing risk. Most cloud-related breaches were linked to stolen or misused login credentials rather than system flaws. Hospitals and retail businesses were among the top targets due to their large and complex user access systems.
The report highlights how cybercriminals are increasingly using AI tools to improve their attacks. These tools help automate tasks like scanning systems, identifying weak points, and launching attacks. As a result, hackers can work more efficiently, making fewer attempts but achieving higher success rates.
Data theft is also evolving. Instead of just stealing passwords, attackers now focus on larger datasets that include detailed user information, making it easier to break into accounts. Malware designed to steal credentials remains widespread, with several major strains responsible for most infections.
To counter these threats, Fortinet is working with global partners, including INTERPOL and the World Economic Forum, to disrupt cybercriminal networks. One recent operation shut down a large scam network in Africa.
The company also launched a Cybercrime Bounty program, encouraging the public and ethical hackers to report cyber threats anonymously.
Fortinet says organizations must adopt faster, AI-powered defenses to keep up with modern cyberattacks, which are growing in speed, scale, and complexity.
