Cybersecurity Trends: What's in Store for Defenders in 2026?

Attackers Continue to Hit Edge Devices and Wield Info Stealers and Ransomware Mathew J. Schwartz (euroinfosec) • December 29, 2025

As the year comes to a close, what's notable over the past 12 months is how much hasn't fundamentally changed on the cyberattack front.

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Nation-state and cybercrime hackers are exploiting edge devices at scale. Chinese nation-state and affiliated private hackers enjoy deep access to Western critical infrastructure through networks often poorly protected due to outdated or poorly configured equipment and inadequate visibility.

As Russia's war against Ukraine continues, the Kremlin appears to be using cybercriminals as deniable proxies more than ever.

Ransomware groups' collective profits appear to be dropping below their $1 billion high-water mark but they remain incredibly disruptive.

As 2026 looms, here's what cyber defenders continue to face, and how it ...