Annual Data Breach Report Predicts New Wave of Personalized and Persistent Attacks, Warning of Synthetic Profiles, Shape-Shifting Malware, and Brain-Computer Interface Vulnerabilities.
Experian® has released its 2026 Data Breach Industry Forecast, warning that the coming year will usher in a new, sophisticated era of cyberattacks driven primarily by Artificial Intelligence. The 13th annual report offers six key predictions detailing how cybercriminals are rapidly adopting emerging technologies to evade detection, create convincing synthetic profiles, and exploit new digital frontiers.
“Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and cybercriminals are often the first to adopt tools like AI to outpace defenses and exploit vulnerabilities,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of Global Data Breach Resolution at Experian.
The forecast points to a future where attacks are faster, smarter, and more technologically advanced than ever before, encompassing threats ranging from autonomous AI agents and shape-shifting malware to quantum computing vulnerabilities and even brain-computer interfaces.
The first half of 2025 alone saw over 8,000 global data breaches, resulting in the exposure of approximately 345 million records. Among Experian’s clients, the countries hit hardest were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
“We’re entering a new era where cyberattacks are no longer just about stealing data, they’re about manipulating reality,” said Jim Steven, Head of Crisis and Data Response Services at Experian Global Data Breach Resolution.
Experian research conducted among consumers in the U.S. and U.K. highlights widespread anxiety and a lack of confidence in institutional preparedness against these advanced threats.
Key findings underscore the public’s concern:
- AI Fear: More than four in five (80%+) of consumers surveyed are concerned about AI being used to create fake identities that are indistinguishable from real people.
- Security Fatalism: Over three-quarters (76%) believe that cybercrime will continue to increase and be impossible to slow down because of AI.
- Institutional Doubt: In the U.S., 69% of adults do not believe their bank or retailer is adequately prepared to defend against AI-driven cyberattacks, or they are unsure.
The research also revealed that younger demographics are increasingly falling victim to scams, and many victims feel unsupported after an incident:
| Demographic | Key Findings |
| Millennials (US & UK) | One in four surveyed says they’ve been a victim of identity theft in the past year. |
| General Public | Nearly a quarter say they’ve fallen for a phishing attack at home or work in the past 12 months. |
| UK Victims | More than three in five (62%) of those whose data was stolen did not feel the organization responsible provided adequate support. |
In the workplace, the fear of professional consequence is also high, with over one-third of UK adults (33%) worrying about damaging their professional reputation due to a cybersecurity mistake at work.
While the threat landscape is worsening, Experian emphasizes that organizations must adopt technology to counter these sophisticated attacks.
“It’s an uphill battle, but organizations can also harness these same innovations to strengthen their security posture,” Bruemmer advised. “With the right preparation and use of technology, companies can be in a solid position to combat attacks, but they should also be ready to deal with the fallout of a security incident.”
Experian Data Breach Resolution, with over 21 years of experience, provides comprehensive services including global consumer notifications, multilingual call centers, and identity protection tools, ensuring organizations can respond swiftly and confidently when breaches occur.
