RedHelix 2026 Report Highlights AI, Identity and Ransomware Risks
Summary
RedHelix’s 2026 outlook covers AI-enabled threats, identity compromise, ransomware, expanding cloud, IoT and supply-chain exposure, and tighter regulation. It recommends stronger identity controls, AI governance, monitoring and resilience.
Key points
- The report says attackers are using AI to automate reconnaissance and phishing, and experimenting with prompt injection, model manipulation and synthetic media.
- In survey findings cited by the report, 48% of organisations named AI-automated attack chains as their greatest ransomware threat; 85% were concerned traditional detection tools are becoming inadequate against AI-enhanced attacks.
- Citing CrowdStrike’s 2025 European Threat Landscape Report, RedHelix says European organisations accounted for about 22% of global ransomware and extortion victims; only North America had more attacks.
- The report cites the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report for an estimate that credential theft accounted for about 61% of breaches in cloud-first organisations.
- RedHelix says CrowdStrike and Check Point reported record Ransomware-as-a-Service activity in 2025, with at least 85 active extortion groups globally.
- The report identifies cloud misconfigurations, IoT exposure and complex third-party supply chains as expanding risks, and calls for continuous assurance and stronger identity governance.
- Its recommendations include oversight and monitoring of AI agents, zero-trust and identity controls, and investment in detection, response, recovery and forensic readiness.
Article Details
- Publisher
- RedHelix
- Report Period
- 2026
- Scope
- Cybersecurity threat trends and resilience outlook, covering AI, identity, attack surfaces, cybercrime, regulation, and emerging risks.
- Sample Size
- Not disclosed
- Key Statistics
- Approximately 22% of global ransomware and extortion victims were European organisations, according to the 2025 CrowdStrike European Threat Landscape Report.
- 48% of organisations surveyed cited AI-automated attack chains as their greatest ransomware threat; the survey population and sample size are not specified.
- 85% of organisations surveyed expressed concern that traditional detection tools are becoming inadequate against AI-enhanced attacks; the survey population and sample size are not specified.
- Credential theft accounted for approximately 61% of breaches in cloud-first organisations, according to the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report.
- At least 85 active extortion groups operated globally in 2025, as reported by CrowdStrike and Check Point.
- Recommendations
- Prioritise identity protection, zero-trust architectures, and behavioural monitoring.
- Establish AI governance, controls over data access and AI-tool use, agent oversight, continuous monitoring, and comprehensive logging.
- Secure cloud, IoT, and supply-chain infrastructure through third-party risk management and continuous assurance.
- Invest in continuous detection and response, skilled personnel, and forensic readiness.
- Align with applicable regulatory requirements and assess quantum-resistant encryption needs, including auditing cryptographic assets.
People
Jason PriceIdentified as a Pre-Sales Engineer; provided a statement on AI security awareness.Marion StewartIdentified as RedHelix CEO; provided a statement on identity, AI, and resilience.Patrick OkolieIdentified as a Cyber Security Product Specialist; commented on ransomware trends.Rob PocockIdentified as Technical Director; commented on AI, quantum capabilities, and cybersecurity.Tom ExelbyIdentified as Head of Cyber Security; commented on UK cybersecurity policy and regulation.
Industries
Financial ServicesOrganisations must comply with frameworks such as GDPR, NIS2, the EU AI Act, ISO 42001, and emerging sector-specific guidance for financial services and healthcare.HealthcareOrganisations must comply with frameworks such as GDPR, NIS2, the EU AI Act, ISO 42001, and emerging sector-specific guidance for financial services and healthcare.