How to Prepare Your Organization for AI-Powered Cyberattack Defense in 2026
How to Prepare Your Organization for AI-Powered Cyberattack Defense in 2026
Nov 26, 2025
Understanding the Rise of AI-Powered Cyberattacks
AI-powered cyberattacks are no longer a futuristic concern—they’re the new reality for organizations worldwide. In 2025, a staggering 87% of global businesses reported experiencing AI-driven cyberattacks, with 95% noting that these attacks span multiple channels, from email to social media and beyond SoSafe Awareness (1). The threat landscape is evolving rapidly, with attackers leveraging AI to automate phishing campaigns, craft convincing deepfakes, and adapt malware in real time to evade detection BlackFog (2).
The speed and sophistication of these attacks are outpacing traditional defenses. According to McKinsey, AI has reduced the average breakout time for attackers to under an hour, making rapid detection and response more critical than ever McKinsey (3). This shift means organizations must rethink their security strategies to keep pace with AI-powered threats.
Vulnerability Assessment: Identifying AI-Driven Threats
Conducting a thorough vulnerability assessment is the first step in defending against AI-powered cyberattacks. Traditional vulnerability scanning tools may not be equipped to detect AI-generated threats, such as adaptive malware or deepfakes. Security teams must adopt advanced assessment techniques that can identify these emerging risks.
CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report highlights the rise of AI-powered deception, where attackers use AI to mimic legitimate user behavior and bypass security controls CrowdStrike (4). To counter this, organizations should implement AI-driven threat detection tools that can analyze patterns and anomalies in real time. These tools can help identify suspicious activity that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Key Steps for AI-Driven Vulnerability Assessment
Deploy AI-powered vulnerability scanners that can detect adaptive malware and deepfakes.
Regularly update threat intelligence feeds to stay ahead of emerging AI-driven threats.
Conduct penetration testing to simulate AI-powered attacks and identify weaknesses in your defenses.
Employee Training: Building AI-Aware Security Culture
Employees are often the first line of defense against cyberattacks, but they can also be the weakest link. As AI-powered attacks become more sophisticated, it’s essential to train employees to recognize and respond to them.
A SoSafe survey found that only 26% of security professionals feel confident in their organization’s ability to detect AI-driven attacks SoSafe Awareness (1). This highlights the need for ongoing training and awareness programs that focus on AI-specific risks, such as deepfakes and AI-generated phishing emails.
Best Practices for AI-Aware Employee Training
Provide regular training sessions on AI-powered cyberattack tactics
Use simulated phishing campaigns to test employee awareness and response
Encourage employees to report suspicious activity and provide feedback on training effectiveness
Implementing Zero-Trust Frameworks
Zero-trust frameworks are becoming increasingly important in the age of AI-powered cyberattacks. These frameworks assume that no user or device should be trusted by default, regardless of their location or network.
Implementing a zero-trust framework involves several key steps, including continuous authentication, least-privilege access, and real-time monitoring. By adopting these principles, organizations can reduce the risk of AI-powered attacks that exploit trusted users or devices.
Components of a Zero-Trust Framework
Continuous authentication and authorization
Least-privilege access controls
Real-time monitoring and anomaly detection
Compliance Readiness: Navigating AI Regulations
As AI-powered cyberattacks become more prevalent, governments and regulatory bodies are stepping up their efforts to address these risks. In 2025, over 1,000 AI-related laws were proposed globally, with the EU AI Act and NIST AI Risk Management Framework leading the way Forvis Mazars (5).
Organizations must ensure compliance with these regulations to avoid penalties and protect their reputations. This involves implementing privacy-by-design principles, conducting regular risk assessments, and establishing cross-functional governance teams to oversee AI compliance.
Key AI Regulations to Watch
EU AI Act: Prohibits certain AI practices and imposes strict obligations on high-risk AI systems
NIST AI Risk Management Framework: Guides managing AI risks and ensuring trustworthiness
TAKE IT DOWN Act (US): Addresses deepfake and AI-generated content
Proactive Defense: AI-Driven Security Tools and Continuous Testing
To stay ahead of AI-powered cyberattacks, organizations must adopt proactive defense strategies. This includes leveraging AI-driven security tools and conducting continuous testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
AI-driven security tools can help organizations detect and respond to threats in real time, while continuous testing ensures that defenses remain effective against evolving attack methods. Forward-thinking companies, including Red Sentry, are building for this future by combining human-led penetration testing with continuous 24/7 automated vulnerability scanning (Red Sentry (6)).
Benefits of Proactive Defense
Rapid detection and response to AI-powered threats
Continuous improvement of security posture
Actionable insights and rapid remediation guidance
Don't Let AI Outpace Your Security
The rise of AI-powered cyberattacks presents a significant challenge for organizations, but it also offers an opportunity to strengthen security and compliance. By understanding the threat landscape, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments, building an AI-aware security culture, implementing zero-trust frameworks, and staying compliant with AI regulations, organizations can protect themselves against these emerging risks.
Forward-thinking companies, including Red Sentry, are building for this future by combining human expertise with advanced AI-driven tools to deliver comprehensive security solutions. Don’t let AI outpace your security—schedule a demo with Red Sentry today to see how our services can help you stay ahead of the curve Red Sentry Contact.