AI Will Redefine Cybersecurity Risks in 2026 

The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) just released its cybersecurity predictions for 2026, based on current trends and the likely maturation of technologies and tactics. The report invites readers to peer into the NCA Crystal Ball “to predict what the bad guys will get up to and how the resilient among us (including you!) can stay safe online in 2026.”  

As digital tools evolve and attackers adapt, the greatest risks in 2026 will stem from human behavior, misuse of technology, and habits lagging behind our digital reality. Below are the NCA’s cybersecurity predictions for 2026, and what they mean for individuals and organizations alike. 

6 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2026 

1. Deepfakes Will Be Nearly Impossible to Spot

In 2026, the idea that there are simple “rules” for spotting AI-generated content—such as checking hands, shadows, or facial glitches—will be outdated. AI-powered deepfakes will be highly convincing, fast to produce, and nearly indistinguishable from real images, videos, and voices. 

Scammers will increasingly use AI to clone executives’ voices, fabricate urgent video messages, and create realistic emails that pressure people to approve payments or share credentials. 

What to do: Trusting your eyes won’t be enough. Verification will be critical. Any request involving money, credentials, or urgency should be confirmed through a second channel, such as a direct call or in-person check. 

2. Untrained AI Use Will Drive More Data Leaks

AI tools are now embedded in both work and home life—but training and safeguards haven’t kept pace. This year, a growing cybersecurity risk will stem from well-meaning users who unintentionally share sensitive data with AI tools. 

Employees and consumers alike already paste financial details, internal documents, and personal information into AI prompts without realizing the downstream consequences. 

What to do: Organizations will need clear AI usage policies, and individuals will need stronger awareness. PrivaPlan has a critical new resource to help health care leaders, IT teams, and compliance professionals maintain strict compliance with federal privacy and security regulations. Learn more here. 

3. Cybercrime Will Feel Routine for Younger Generations

For those raised in the 21st Century, who some call Digital Natives, cybercrime is already a constant presence. In 2026, it will feel even more routine. Scams now appear across dating apps, social media platforms, text messages, crypto services, and fake tech support calls. 

As digital footprints grow, so does exposure to phishing, impersonation, and fraud. 

What to do: Cybersecurity education must evolve. Long, technical training sessions won’t work. Awareness efforts need to meet people where they are—on the platforms they use daily—and focus on realistic, relatable scenarios. 

4. Passwords Will Finally Start to Fade Away

Passwords have long been one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Reuse, poor hygiene, and resistance to password managers continue to make credential-based attacks effective. 

In 2026, more organizations and platforms will move toward passkeys and device-based authentication, reducing reliance on traditional passwords. While using strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) can help, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends passkeys as a safer alternative in its Secure by Design guidance. 

What to do: Passwords won’t disappear overnight, but users should expect more passwordless login options. Embracing passkeys and MFA will improve both security and convenience. 

5. Cybersecurity Training Will Focus on Real Behavior Change

Annual, checkbox-style cybersecurity training has proven ineffective. In 2026, organizations will shift toward short, timely, and context-aware training designed to influence real decisions—sometimes even using humor. 

Instead of theory, training will reinforce practical actions like spotting phishing emails or enabling multifactor authentication in the moment it matters. 

What to do: Cybersecurity will feel less like compliance and more like a life skill. Small nudges at the right time can significantly reduce risk. 

6. The Biggest Breaches Will Still Come from Basic Human Errors 

Despite advances in AI and security technology, many of the largest breaches in 2026 will still result from familiar mistakes: weak passwords, missing software updates, phishing clicks, and skipped multifactor authentication. 

Attackers will continue exploiting these fundamentals because they remain effective. 

What to do: The basics still matter. Keeping systems up to date, using unique passwords, enabling MFA, and staying cautious with unexpected messages remain the strongest defenses. 

The future of cybersecurity isn’t just about smarter attackers—it’s about better habits. As technology evolves, staying secure will depend on awareness, verification, and consistently doing the basics well. 

Related Cybersecurity Insights from PrivaPlan 

• AI and Emerging Cyber Threats:  The AI Security Surge: Why Compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule Can’t Wait
• Deepfakes, Scams & Digital Deception: AI Contributes to Surge in Fake Websites Ahead of Black Friday
• Real-World Breaches & Human Error: Study Finds Hacking Behind 88% of Patient Record Breaches
• Practical Cybersecurity Guidance: Follow 4 Simple Steps to Stay Cyber Secure