Cybersecurity predictions for 2026

From ITE’s Cybersecurity Business Unit, in collaboration with our strategic analysis and technology foresight ecosystem (Forecast, Verdere Lab, IBM Security blog, Radware blog on intelligent threats), we present the key cybersecurity predictions for 2026, resulting from an exhaustive analysis of the threat landscape, new technological capabilities and emerging attack patterns.

These predictions, combined with our proactive digital protection approach, reinforce the strategic value of SOCITE360, the comprehensive cybersecurity services platform developed by ITE, which is based on four operational pillars:

SOC IT (IT Infrastructure and Information Systems Security)
SOC OT (Security in industrial environments and operational technologies)
GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance)
White-Label Cybersecurity Services

Below, we share the main findings and how SOCITE360 is positioned as an effective response:

1.- Abuse of permissions over passwords in SaaS environments

The attack vector will focus on OAuth tokens and excessive consents, especially on platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Salesforce. Auditing permissions, revoking unused access and limiting unnecessary privileges will be essential.

2.- Social Engineering as a Service (SEaaS) powered by AI

The malicious use of AI will generate highly realistic social engineering kits, including voice cloning and automated scripts to bypass MFA and advanced authentication measures.

3.- Growing urgency in post-quantum cryptographic migration

The imminent arrival of quantum computing requires an accelerated transition towards resistant algorithms, especially in critical infrastructures with long technological life cycles.

4.- Ransomware in the supply chain

An increase in attacks against third-party suppliers will be observed as a means to impact larger organisations. Extended visibility and segmentation will be essential for containment.

5.- Exploitation of peripheral and IoT devices

Firewalls, routers, IP cameras and devices not managed by EDR will become priority vectors. Asset management will be key.

6.- Specialisation of cybercrime

Criminal structures with specific roles (initial access, extortion, exfiltration) will become consolidated, complicating attribution and increasing attack effectiveness.

7.- Autonomous agents and AI as a dual threat.

Automation through AI will require integrating security controls from model design through to operation, mitigating risks of unauthorised decisions or out-of-control actions.

8.- Identity management at the centre of risk

Attacks such as AiTM, session cookie theft and browser credential abuse will drive the adoption of phishing-resistant MFA and frameworks such as Zero Trust.

9.- Advanced DDoS and API attacks

Stealthy AI-driven attacks against APIs and poorly secured “API-first” architectures will be developed. Access control and input validation will be differentiating factors.

10.- Critical relevance of GRC

Regulatory pressure and legal risk due to non-compliance will increase the need for mature Governance, Risk and Compliance models integrated with IT and OT.

Predicciones Clave de Ciberseguridad para 2026 de ITE

Our proposal: SOCITE360 as a comprehensive platform

SOCITE360 is ITE’s strategic solution to address current and future challenges of the digital environment. Its architecture is based on the following pillars:

SOC IT – Infrastructure Cyber Defence

24×7 monitoring, incident response, threat hunting and advanced event correlation.
Integration with technologies such as Wazuh (XDR/SIEM) and Velociraptor (DFIR).

SOC OT – Operational Technology Security

Protection of industrial environments (ICS/SCADA), threat detection, industrial network segmentation and OT protocol analysis.
Visibility and management of critical assets with tools such as Shodan

GRC – Governance, Risk and Compliance

Implementation of regulatory frameworks such as NIST CSF 2.0, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS v4.0, PART IS and regulatory compliance (LOPD, RGPD, HIPAA, among others).
Tabletop-type exercises (CTEP), business continuity plans and corporate risk management.

SOCITE360 Suite White-Label Services

SOC services, audits, pentesting, training, consultancy and compliance offered under a white-label model, designed for integrators, MSSPs and consultancies wishing to expand their portfolio without direct investment in infrastructure or specialised talent.