Truesec Threat Intelligence Report 2026: AI and Geopolitics Reshape Cyber Risk 

Cyber threats are evolving at unprecedented speed, driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and escalating geopolitical tensions, according to Truesec’s newly released Threat Intelligence Report 2026. The report reveals that attackers are increasingly targeting people rather than systems, while blurred lines between state actors, organized cybercrime, and hacktivist groups make attribution and defense more complex. 

Key Findings

• Over one-third of ransomware attacks began with stolen credentials, often obtained through phishing or password spraying. 
• Fewer attacks in the Nordics reached full encryption in 2025, thanks to improved detection and response capabilities. 

“Today’s global conflicts are increasingly digital. Organizations with poor cybersecurity are targeted not only for profit, but also to cause disruption and break trust. AI is making both attacks and defenses faster,” says Marcus Murray, Founder of Truesec.

Geopolitics Drives Cybercrime Globalization

As the international rules-based order weakens, cyber threats mirror this instability. State-sponsored groups, cybercriminals, and hacktivists are collaborating more than ever, erasing traditional boundaries. Western cybercriminals are gaining prominence and, in some cases, cooperating with Russian groups. Truesec predicts that organized cybercrime will become even more globalized by 2026.

AI Accelerates Cyber Threats

AI revolutionized software development in 2025 and now threat actors are exploiting large language models to automate attacks and shorten the time from initial access to impact. The report warns that widespread adoption of enterprise AI systems could create new attack surfaces and single points of failure if not properly secured. 

People Remain the Primary Target

Phishing and social engineering continue to dominate attack vectors. More than one-third of ransomware incidents began with valid credentials—often obtained through phishing or password spraying.

Cybersecurity Investments Pay Off

Despite growing complexity, Truesec data shows that strong detection and response capabilities significantly reduce business impact. Severe ransomware incidents have declined since 2023, and in the Nordics, fewer attacks reached full encryption in 2025 thanks to improved defenses. 

Nordic Security in Focus

These global trends have direct implications for organizations across the Nordics and beyond. The Nordic countries play a critical role in Europe’s defense ecosystem and host large parts of its critical infrastructure—including energy, transportation, healthcare, and public services. Ensuring robust cybersecurity across these sectors will be essential for regional security in 2026.

Download the full Truesec Threat Intelligence Report 2026.

About the Threat Intelligence Report 2026 

The Truesec Threat Intelligence Report 2026 is the seventh edition of Truesec’s annual report. Its purpose is to contextualize cybersecurity trends and support defenders in securing networks, preventing breaches, and minimizing impact in an increasingly unpredictable world. The report examines the threat landscape, threat actors, and cybercrime trends based on Truesec’s engagements throughout 2025. It combines real-world observations from Truesec’s SOC and CSIRT teams with insights from incident response cases, threat intelligence, and collaboration with private industry and law enforcement partners. The report also highlights current cybersecurity challenges, provides recommended mitigations, and concludes with Truesec’s outlook and predictions for 2026. All case studies are anonymized and, in some instances, represent amalgamations of multiple incidents to protect client confidentiality. 

About Truesec Group 

Truesec is an international cybersecurity company that offers market-leading managed services, incident management, and expert consulting services. Truesec operates the largest Security Operations Center (SOC) in the Nordics and has conducted over 120,000 hours of incident management. The company’s goal is to prevent breaches and minimize impact. Since 2005, Truesec has delivered advanced security solutions to clients in both the private and public sectors worldwide, including critical infrastructure and operational technology environments that require specialized protection. Today, the company comprises 350+ cyber specialists with deep expertise and a leading role in cybersecurity in the Nordics. For more information, visit truesec.com.