Cybersecurity 2026: Inside the Cyber Shift

The cybersecurity sector is entering 2026 in a state of rapid transformation, driven by the surge in AI-driven attacks, expanding digital infrastructures, and new regulatory frameworks around data and resilience. Over the past year, several major developments have reshaped the global cyber landscape — from Google’s record-breaking acquisition of Wiz to the growing integration of embedded cybersecurity solutions across connected devices and vehicles. These moves highlight a fundamental shift: cybersecurity is no longer a defensive afterthought but a strategic pillar of innovation, influencing product design, business continuity, and trust across every industry.

Yet, the challenges and priorities differ dramatically between sectors. In the automotive world, the rise of software-defined and connected vehicles has turned cars into data centers on wheels, creating new vulnerabilities across supply chains and in-vehicle systems. Meanwhile, the technology and enterprise sectors are focused on defending vast cloud ecosystems, combating AI-generated phishing and deepfakes, and meeting increasingly strict compliance standards. As 2026 unfolds, cybersecurity will become more adaptive, automated, and industry-specific — with each field developing tailored frameworks to manage its unique blend of digital opportunity and risk.

To better understand where the field is heading, leading cybersecurity executives and industry experts share their insights, predictions, and the key trends they believe will define 2026:

Ido Vaknin, Head of Information Security, ONE Networks & Cyber, ONE Technologies Group:

"In the cyber landscape, we’re witnessing a clear trend of growing sophistication and automation, with advanced analytics and AI-driven technologies accelerating attack processes, identifying vulnerabilities in real time, and enabling highly targeted and convincing campaigns.

“At the same time, we’re seeing a shift: while ransomware is still present, data leaks are becoming the bigger threat. For many attackers, encrypting files is no longer the main objective - it’s about stealing information and exposing it publicly to cause maximum reputational and regulatory damage.

“Automation and AI are also reshaping the threat landscape, replacing traditional manual attackers and enabling large-scale reconnaissance, exploitation, and lateral movement across networks with unprecedented speed and precision.

“At the end of the day, the traditional security perimeter is fading. Effective defense now relies on real-time intelligence, AI-assisted protection, and strong network segmentation. But above all, it depends on skilled professionals who understand the battlefield and act with confidence and precision.”

***

:Ran Ish-Shalom, VP Strategy & Product, PlaxidityX 

"The automotive industry is witnessing a surge in cyberattacks that increasingly target vehicles themselves - not just manufacturing systems. As cars become more software-driven, threats such as cyber-enabled car theft are rising sharply, exposing the limitations of traditional, static defense models. 

“The industry is shifting toward adaptive and intelligent security architectures that can evolve alongside emerging attack techniques and protect vehicles throughout their long lifecycles. At the same time, stricter global regulations like UNR 155 are driving the need for continuous monitoring, compliance, and proactive risk management. 

“These dynamics are fueling a strong move toward holistic, end-to-end cybersecurity ecosystems - where in-vehicle, cloud, and development security are integrated under a unified approach. 

“Such consolidation, often with a single trusted vendor, not only enhances protection and interoperability but also significantly lowers the total cost of ownership for OEMs and suppliers alike."

***

Lior Kelev, Head of Cyber at Deloitte Israel: 

"In the coming year, two major topics are set to take center stage: artificial intelligence (AI) and regulation. The integration of AI into the world of cybersecurity is expected to bring significant changes.

“Organizations will increasingly adopt AI-driven automation, train employees in relevant skills, and implement smart cyber management platforms. Startups are likely to develop broad automation systems, while AI will become an active partner in software development—from proposing architecture to conducting real-time testing and vulnerability detection. 

“Alongside these opportunities, ethical questions naturally arise, as does the need to maintain human oversight. On the regulatory front, we anticipate stricter cybersecurity requirements by 2026, reflecting a global trend. 

“The European Union is leading the way with the EU AI Act, which mandates rigorous standards for AI systems in health, infrastructure, and employment sectors. In the United States, the CMMC 2.0 standard has come into effect, requiring suppliers to meet varying levels of information security—an obligation that will undoubtedly impact Israeli companies as well.

“Meanwhile, data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA continue to expand, and Israel is also seeing increased enforcement in this area."

***

Ilia Rabinovich, VP of Cybersecurity Consulting at Sygnia:

 "In 2026, we expect supply chain attacks to intensify, targeting customers through broadly distributed vendors and the cryptocurrency ecosystem - particularly via the developer toolchain, including GitHub, NPM, and the VSCode Marketplace.

"Attackers increasingly exploit third-party dependencies, compromised access tokens, and sophisticated social engineering against developers to breach organizations relying on open source and public repositories".

Rabinovich also warns of a growing need for security teams to integrate AI-based tools into core operations like MDR, IR, and advisory work. At the same time, he flags new risks: "Security teams must pay closer attention to how AI agents and models are integrated, as these tools expand the attack surface and still lack mature policy and practical control frameworks.

“Basic AI buzzwords tied to security products are losing traction, and organizations are demanding real, domain-specific capabilities. Over-reliance on automation risks degrading essential investigative skills, especially among entry-level analysts, potentially reducing work quality.

‘Looking ahead, key buzzwords expected to shape the cybersecurity landscape include: supply chain risk mitigation, LLM and AI agents' security, non-human identity perimeter, tier 1.5 SOCs (AI-assisted analysts), continuous threat exposure management, and post-quantum readiness.”