Experian® released its 13th Annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, predicting that artificial intelligence will be a major driver of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks in 2026. This forecast, offering six insights into emerging threats, details how cybercriminals are leveraging technologies like AI to create convincing identities and evade detection. Experian’s analysis indicates a shift towards personalized, persistent, and technologically advanced attacks, building on a landscape that already saw over 8,000 global data breaches exposing approximately 345 million records in the first half of 2025. This positions AI as a central challenge for organizations seeking to strengthen their security posture against rapidly evolving threats.
AI as a Major Cybersecurity Threat in 2026
Experian’s 13th Annual Data Breach Industry Forecast predicts artificial intelligence will be a major factor in the evolving cyber threat landscape in 2026. The forecast highlights how cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies, including AI, to create more convincing identities and evade detection. This suggests a future with increasingly sophisticated attacks, driven by AI’s ability to personalize and persist beyond current security measures. Experian anticipates these attacks will exploit new digital frontiers, requiring organizations to prepare for more technologically advanced threats.
The increasing use of AI by cybercriminals is occurring amidst a high volume of data breaches; over 8,000 global breaches occurred in the first half of 2025, exposing approximately 345 million records. Experian’s research indicates that younger generations are particularly vulnerable to scams, while many data breach victims report feeling unsupported. This context suggests that AI-driven attacks could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and lead to increased anxiety among consumers regarding data security.
Experian emphasizes that organizations must prepare for AI-driven threats that are faster, smarter, and harder to detect. The company offers services, including global consumer notifications and dark web surveillance, to help organizations respond to data breaches. With over 21 years of crisis management experience and having served more than 69,000 incidents, Experian positions itself as a key partner in combating these emerging cyber security challenges.
Rising Data Breach Statistics and Impact
Data breaches are a significant and growing concern, with over 8,000 global incidents occurring in the first half of 2025 alone. These breaches exposed approximately 345 million records, highlighting the scale of the problem. The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada were specifically identified as the countries most impacted. Experian’s 13th annual forecast predicts that artificial intelligence will play a major role in future attacks, creating more sophisticated and personalized threats.
Experian offers services to help organizations respond to these breaches, drawing on over 21 years of experience and having managed more than 69,000 incidents. Their solutions include global consumer notifications, multilingual call centers, and identity protection tools such as credit monitoring and dark web surveillance. Reserved Response™ guarantees staffing and infrastructure readiness for organizations facing potential or active breaches across more than 100 countries.
Consumers are increasingly anxious about cyber threats, and many question the preparedness of companies to defend against sophisticated attacks. Experian research indicates younger generations are particularly vulnerable to scams, and victims often feel unsupported after their data is compromised. This growing concern is happening as AI emerges as a key driver of more convincing identities and harder-to-detect attacks.
Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and cybercriminals are often the first to adopt tools like AI to outpace defenses and exploit vulnerabilities.
Michael Bruemmer, vice president of Global Data Breach Resolution at Experian
Experian’s Data Breach Resolution Services
Experian’s Data Breach Resolution services offer organizations swift and confident responses to data breaches, leveraging over 21 years of crisis management experience and having served more than 69,000 incidents. These comprehensive services include global consumer notifications and multilingual call centers, alongside identity protection tools like credit monitoring and dark web surveillance. Experian helps minimize reputational risk and protect customer trust through tailored solutions, whether dealing with a live breach, third-party incident, or class action crisis.
Experian’s Reserved Response™ program ensures preparedness by guaranteeing staffing and infrastructure for breach response, while its international capabilities extend support across more than 100 countries. The company assists organizations facing data breaches with solutions designed to protect customers and maintain trust. Experian focuses on crisis management, and offers tools to aid in the aftermath of incidents, reflecting their extensive experience in this field.
Experian is a global data and technology company with a team of 25,100 people across 32 countries, operating in diverse markets like financial services, healthcare, and automotive. Beyond data breach resolution, Experian redefines lending, prevents fraud, and simplifies healthcare using data, analytics, and software. Listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Experian invests in advanced technologies and talented people to unlock the power of data.
