Cybersecurity breaches refer to malicious activities that are meant to sabotage computer systems or data, steal funds, or disrupt digital life or business operations in general. These threats include phishing, malware and ransomware, denial of service (DoS), among other attacks.
According to a study by the World Economic Forum, 72% of respondents say that cyber risks have risen in 2025. An increase in cyber-enabled fraud accelerates this trend.
Data security threats can either come from external actors or trusted users in an organization. The external threat actors may be organized cybercrime groups, state-sponsored cyberwarfare campaigns, or individual cybercriminals.
What Are the Common Sources of Cybersecurity Threats?
Cybersecurity threats come from different sources that pose unique risks to organizations and individuals. As a business owner, it’s important that you understand these sources to implement proper cyber attack prevention strategies. Below are some of the common types of data security threats:
Social Engineering
This source of cybersecurity threats involves manipulating victims into acting in ways that compromise security, divulging sensitive information, or exploiting trust instead of technical vulnerabilities. A cybercriminal carries out an extensive investigation on their victim to find out any weak security protocols or potential entry points.
The attacker then gains the trust of the victim and lures them to give away access to critical resources and reveal sensitive information.
Malware
Also known as malicious software, malware includes spyware, worms, and viruses that infiltrate systems to:
- Allow remote control
- Disrupt operations
- Steal data
This kind of cyber threat is often delivered through the following ways:
- Fake software updates
- Infected websites
- Email attachments
Phishing Attacks
Phishing refers to sending deceptive messages or emails that look legitimate. It’s a way of luring individuals into giving out their sensitive information, including credit card numbers and passwords. You can be a victim of a phishing scam if you click on a malicious link, giving cyber criminals access to networks or accounts.
DDoS or DoS Attacks
A denial of service (DoS) attack refers to when an attacker uses one computer to overwhelm the victim’s resources with traffic. This attack continues until the system is unable to cater to legitimate service requests. On the other hand, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) cybercrime uses different malware-infected machines to exhaust the target’s resources until it’s unable to offer services to real users.
What Are the Seven Cybersecurity Breaches to Look Out for in 2026?
There are various information security risks you should watch out for that are likely to affect organizations and individuals. Below are some of these cybersecurity breaches:
1. AI-Powered Cyber Attacks
These forms of cyberattacks are becoming more popular and posing a significant challenge in the field of cybersecurity. Cyber attackers are now leveraging artificial intelligence to elevate the impact and sophistication of their crimes. Therefore, these criminals are becoming harder and increasingly elusive to detect.
AI-driven cyber threats can:
- Craft malicious phishing schemes
- Automate vulnerability identification
- Adapt to bypass security measures
2. Malware and Ransomware
Ransomware has evolved, with the attacks becoming even more destructive and targeted. Criminals are now asking for higher ransoms and have access to more advanced methods of encryption to lock down systems.
One trend that’s causing major concern is the increase in double extortion. This is where cyber attackers threaten to publish your data if you fail to pay the expected ransom.
3. Cloud-Based Attacks
The risk of cloud-based crimes continues to increase as more businesses move their data to the cloud. Cybercriminals can now exploit weaknesses found in cloud infrastructure to access applications and data unlawfully.
Cloud-based attacks involve the following techniques:
- Malware injection
- Misconfiguration exploits
- Credential theft
4. Internet of Things (IoT)Device Hacking
The increase in popularity of IoT devices is forming new vulnerabilities as an increasing number of objects are being connected to the internet. IoT device hacking is likely to escalate in 2026 as attackers are targeting a wide variety of devices, ranging from industrial sensors to smart home appliances.
Among the online protection tips to keep your business safe is ensuring your IoT devices have strong security measures.
5. Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a complicated form of cyber scam that targets businesses and tricks employees into revealing sensitive information or transferring funds. BEC attacks are expected to increase in sophistication in 2026 as criminals exploit AI to create highly malicious emails that sound legitimate.
6. Insider Threats
These threats involve employees of an organization who have access to data and systems. Insider threats are fueled by factors such as:
- Financial stress
- Employee dissatisfaction
- Coercion by external cybercriminals
7. Data Center Attacks
Data centers are the foundation of digital infrastructure as they host large amounts of sensitive data. Compromising a data center is likely to cause widespread data loss and disruption. Criminals use DDoS attacks, malware, and physical breaches to gain access to these critical facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Companies Doing to Tackle Threats in Cybersecurity?
Among the most effective ways to mitigate or avoid threats in cybersecurity is by providing proper education to your employees. Most organizations are using training tools and webinars to inform their employees on the updated protocols and best practices.
Additionally, companies are hiring cybersecurity consultants or professionals to strengthen their defenses against cybercriminals.
How Much Does It Cost to Deploy Cybersecurity to Safeguard Your Data?
This cost differs depending on different infrastructures and organizations. It’s important to have a provider that offers managed IT services in Chicago that can adapt to the ever-changing needs of your business.
What Are the Major Uses of Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity protects your networks and data and improves the recovery time in case there’s a successful breach. Another use of cybersecurity is that it prevents unauthorized access to data and network resources in your company, ensuring network security.
Shield Your Organization From Cybersecurity Breaches With EMPIST
As cybersecurity breaches are becoming even more complicated, businesses should understand and prepare for risks such as IoT device vulnerabilities, advanced malware and ransomware, and data center attacks.
Our team of professionals at EMPIST provides 24/7/365 support using trusted and reliable cybersecurity solutions. We also offer monitoring services and comprehensive protection to keep your web-connected systems safe from the most sophisticated cyberattacks.
Contact us today to ensure continuous protection and strengthen your defenses.