The cybersecurity landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. According to Fortinet’s latest threat predictions, cybercrime is evolving from scattered attacks into a full-fledged industry—one powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and frightening efficiency.
Speed Becomes the New Weapon
The most alarming shift isn’t about new attack methods, but rather how quickly criminals can now operate. What once took days now happens in hours, sometimes minutes. A ransomware group that previously launched a single attack can now coordinate 10 in the same timeframe. The gap between a system being compromised and criminals cashing out is rapidly shrinking, leaving defenders racing against the clock.
This acceleration stems from industrialization. Cybercriminals increasingly operate like businesses, with specialized roles, automated tools, and AI-driven decision-making. They’re measuring success not by innovation, but by throughput—how fast they can turn stolen access into profit.
AI: The Double-Edged Sword
Artificial intelligence is reshaping both sides of this battle. On the attack side, autonomous cybercrime agents are emerging—purpose-built systems that can handle credential theft, phishing, or network infiltration without human oversight. These tools allow even entry-level criminals to launch sophisticated campaigns.
More concerning is how AI accelerates post-breach activities. Once attackers steal data, generative AI can analyze massive datasets within minutes, identifying the most valuable targets for extortion. What used to require teams of analysts now happens automatically.
Critical Infrastructure in the Crosshairs
Healthcare, manufacturing, and utilities face escalating threats. The traditional ransomware playbook—encrypt files and demand payment—now includes data theft, service disruption, and targeted extortion, often hitting multiple vendors simultaneously. Techniques once reserved for nation-states, like firmware corruption and device bricking, are being adopted by criminal groups seeking maximum leverage.
The Economics Are Staggering
The World Economic Forum estimates cybercrime costs could exceed $23 trillion annually by 2027. This growth reflects the maturation of underground marketplaces that now function like legitimate e-commerce platforms, complete with customer service, reputation systems, and escrow services.
Fighting Back at Machine Speed
Defense strategies must evolve to keep pace with this velocity. Organizations can no longer rely on periodic security assessments or static configurations. Instead, they need adaptive systems that continuously learn and respond in real-time.
The key lies in threat-informed defense—connecting intelligence, exposure management, and incident response into one unified framework. Identity management is becoming increasingly crucial, especially as organizations must now secure not only human users but also automated agents, AI processes, and machine-to-machine workflows.
Encouragingly, international cooperation is intensifying. Operations like INTERPOL’s Serengeti campaign demonstrate how law enforcement and private sector collaboration can dismantle criminal infrastructure.
The contest between attackers and defenders has become a race of systems, not individuals. Success in 2026 will depend on how well organizations can operate at machine speed while maintaining human judgment and oversight.
