AI-driven Attacks to Become Faster, More Sophisticated, and Harder to Detect by 2026, New Delinea Report Shows

Cybersecurity and the AI Threat Landscape: Key Insights from Delinea’s Inaugural Report

Delinea, a leading provider of solutions for securing human and machine identities through centralized authorization, has released its inaugural Cybersecurity and the AI Threat Landscape report. The report, based on exclusive Delinea Labs research and an analysis of several third-party studies and real-world cyber incidents, reveals critical insights into the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Latest Developments in AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threats

The report uncovers a sharp rise in attacks targeting non-human identities (NHIs), such as service accounts, APIs, and machine identities. Delinea’s research reveals that for every human identity, there are currently 46 NHIs, a number expected to exceed 45 billion by 2025. Alarmingly, over 70% of NHIs are not rotated within recommended timeframes, with an average cycle of 627 days, far exceeding security best practices. Additionally, 97% of organizations expose their NHIs to third-party vendors, significantly increasing the risk of unauthorized access.

“One of the biggest challenges identified in the report is the increasing targeting of non-human identities,” said Jon Kuhn, SVP of Product Management at Delinea. “For organizations, this shift means they are facing a massive and often ignored security gap. With the number of these machine identities expected to grow exponentially in the coming years as enterprises continue to rapidly adopt AI, the lack of proper credential management and the exposure of these identities to third parties creates serious vulnerabilities that cyber attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to critical systems and data.”

The Resurgence of Ransomware

The report also reveals a disturbing trend in ransomware attacks, which in 2024 became more sophisticated with the rise of double extortion tactics. Cybercriminals not only encrypt but also exfiltrate sensitive data, threatening to release it publicly unless a ransom is paid. Five ransomware groups — RansomHub, LockBit, Play, Akira, and Hunters — were responsible for over 36% of all ransomware incidents monitored by Delinea in 2024, totaling more than 5,700 attacks. Looking ahead, the report anticipates a surge in AI-driven phishing attacks, with cybercriminals using AI to craft increasingly convincing phishing emails, making it harder to distinguish legitimate communications from malicious ones.

“The rise in ransomware sophistication and the increasing prevalence of AI-driven attacks are undeniable trends in today’s cybersecurity landscape,” said Gal Diskin, Vice President of Threat & Research at Delinea. “Our research reveals that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI and powerful Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) tools to launch more targeted and scalable attacks, particularly around phishing and machine identities. To stay ahead, organizations must adapt their security strategies, focusing not just on advanced threat detection, but also foundational security controls and strengthening multi-factor authentication (MFA) to combat the growing threat of credential phishing.”

AI Innovation in Cybersecurity Research

Delinea Labs, the research and development arm of Delinea, is at the forefront of analyzing emerging cybersecurity threats. Comprised of elite security researchers and threat intelligence experts, the team conducts in-depth studies of attack techniques and vulnerabilities, helping organizations stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape. In addition to its cutting-edge security research, Delinea Labs also drives AI innovation, exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance threat detection, risk analysis, and identity security to further strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

Conclusion

The Cybersecurity and the AI Threat Landscape report highlights the urgent need for organizations to adapt their security measures to counter AI-driven threats. With the increasing prevalence of AI-driven attacks, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize foundational security controls, strengthen MFA, and stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. By doing so, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and protect their critical systems and data.

FAQs

Q: What is the main focus of the report?

A: The report focuses on the rapidly evolving threat landscape, highlighting the increasing targeting of non-human identities and the resurgence of ransomware attacks, particularly those driven by AI.

Q: What are the key findings of the report?

A: The report reveals that for every human identity, there are currently 46 NHIs, and that over 70% of NHIs are not rotated within recommended timeframes. Additionally, the report anticipates a surge in AI-driven phishing attacks and highlights the need for organizations to adapt their security strategies to counter AI-driven threats.

Q: What are the implications of the report for organizations?

A: The report emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize foundational security controls, strengthen MFA, and stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and protect their critical systems and data.

Q: What is Delinea Labs?

A: Delinea Labs is the research and development arm of Delinea, responsible for conducting in-depth studies of attack techniques and vulnerabilities, and driving AI innovation to further strengthen cybersecurity defenses.