AI is a double-edged sword for cybersecurity. While defenders use AI to detect threats faster, attackers are using it to automate sophisticated attacks at unprecedented scale. From the new "Reprompt" attack that can steal data from Microsoft Copilot in a single click to AI-powered phishing that's nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications, 2026 brings a new threat landscape.
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed a new attack method dubbed "Reprompt" that could allow attackers to exfiltrate sensitive data from AI chatbots like Microsoft Copilot in a single click, bypassing enterprise security controls. Microsoft has addressed the issue for enterprise customers.
Top Threats for 2026
According to Experian's 2026 Data Breach Industry Forecast, five out of six top predictions involve AI:
- Autonomous AI agents disrupting networks and stealing data without human involvement
- AI-powered romance and social engineering scams running at scale
- Deepfake job candidates infiltrating organizations
- Non-human identity (NHI) compromise becoming the #1 cloud breach vector
- Shadow AI risks from employees using unauthorized AI tools
"AI is not a magic wand; it supercharges traditional attack methods. It will drive down the cost of attack generation and increase the volume."
— Eric Doerr, Chief Product Officer, TenableJanuary 2026 Data Breaches
Several significant breaches have already occurred in early 2026:
The Shadow AI Problem
One of the most insidious threats doesn't come from external hackers—it comes from employees using unauthorized AI tools.
According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, breaches involving "shadow AI" (unauthorized AI tool usage) featured 65% more personally identifiable information compromised and 40% more intellectual property stolen than other breaches.
Microsoft's January Security Update
Microsoft released its first security update for 2026 addressing 114 security flaws, including one actively exploited vulnerability. Of these:
- 8 rated Critical
- 106 rated Important
- 1 actively exploited in the wild
Non-Human Identities: The New Attack Surface
Experts predict that Non-human identities (NHIs)—service accounts, API keys, and machine identities—will become the #1 cloud breach vector in 2026.
The problem: organizations have dramatically more machine identities than human users, but most companies don't manage them with the same rigor. These identities often have excessive privileges that attackers can exploit.
What Organizations Should Do
- Audit AI tool usage: Understand what AI tools employees are using and implement approved alternatives
- Strengthen NHI governance: Treat machine identities with the same security rigor as human accounts
- Deploy AI-powered defenses: Use AI to detect threats that traditional tools miss
- Train for AI-powered phishing: Employees need to recognize increasingly sophisticated social engineering
- Monitor for prompt injection attacks: Any AI-integrated system is potentially vulnerable
What This Means for AI Companion Users
For users of AI companion apps, the cybersecurity landscape highlights the importance of using reputable services with strong security practices:
- Choose established providers: Companies with security teams and breach response plans
- Don't share sensitive information: Even with AI companions, avoid sharing passwords, financial details, or security information
- Use strong authentication: Enable 2FA wherever available
- Be cautious of impersonation: AI deepfakes can impersonate anyone—verify unexpected requests through other channels
At Solm8, security is foundational: we use end-to-end encryption, don't sell user data, and employ enterprise-grade security practices to protect conversations.