Cyber security experts at Immersive expect artificial intelligence to reshape threat hunting, extortion tactics, and human-focused attacks by 2026, while warning that full automation and overconfidence in technology will increase risk for critical infrastructure operators.
The company's specialists set out a series of predictions on how AI, legacy systems, and human behaviour will change the security landscape over the two years. They warned that organisations will need stronger proof of resilience across both technology and people.
Dave Spencer, Director of Technical Product Management at Immersive, said security leaders are placing growing emphasis on automating threat hunting. He argued that automation will not remove the need for human oversight.
Spencer said this tension is most pronounced in operational environments.
Immersive expects industrial networks to undergo significant change as information technology and operational technology continue to converge. It also expects this change to leave legacy systems in place for years.
Sam Maesschalck, Lead OT Cyber Security Engineer at Immersive, said operators will increase investment in "smarter" control systems and AI-driven tools while managing older infrastructure.
Extortion tactics evolve
Immersive analysts also expect cyber extortion models to change as AI training data grows in commercial value. They anticipate a shift in how criminals monetise stolen data.
Ben McCarthy, Lead Cyber Security Engineer at Immersive, said criminals may look beyond traditional "name and shame" leak threats.
The company's cyber psychology team expects human targets to face a wave of AI-enhanced social engineering. They forecast more sophisticated deception attacks.
John Blythe, Director of Cyber Psychology at Immersive, said attackers will industrialise manipulation techniques using generative tools.
The full story
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