Cybersecurity Shifts Since 2023 (2026 Guide)
4 min read
What’s Changed in Cybersecurity Since 2023? Here’s What Matters in 2026
If you read a cybersecurity trends article from 2023, half of it still applies. The other half is out of date.
This post answers the question most business owners are asking: what is genuinely different now, and what do I need to do about it?
We will skip the items that are no longer “trends” because they are now table stakes (every business should have zero trust thinking and cloud security in place). Instead, we will focus on what is new, what got worse, and what you can do this quarter to keep up.
1. AI Is Now on Both Sides of the Fight
This is the biggest change since 2023.
Back then, AI in cybersecurity mostly meant defenders using machine learning to spot patterns. That is still true. What is new is that attackers now have the same tools, and they are using them well.
A few numbers tell the story:
- 16% of breaches now involve AI-driven attacks, including phishing and deepfake impersonation.
- More than a quarter of SMBs (29%) say they’ve already experienced a deepfake scheme.
- 77% of organizations now use generative AI or large language models in their security stack.
What this means for you: the phishing email that used to be easy to spot because of bad grammar now reads like it came from your CFO. The voice on the phone asking your bookkeeper to wire money might sound exactly like the boss. The video call asking for a password reset might show a face your team recognizes.
What to do: Train your team to verify any unusual request through a second channel. If “the CEO” calls and asks for a wire transfer, the response is to hang up and call back on a known number. Build that habit before you need it.
2. Ransomware Got Smaller and Sneakier (and It’s Aimed at You)
Ransomware was already a top trend in 2023. Three years later, the target has shifted hard toward small and mid-sized businesses.
Ransomware accounted for 88% of breaches at SMBs, compared to 39% for larger organizations. Why the gap? Larger companies have more defenses. SMBs are easier wins.
The good news is that defenses are working better than ever. 64% of victims now refuse to pay the ransom, up from 50% two years ago. The companies that say no are the ones with tested backups and a recovery plan.
What to do: Back up your data. Then test the backup. A backup you have never restored is a guess, not a plan.
3. Your Vendors Are Now Your Biggest Risk
This trend barely existed in 2023 articles. In 2026 it is one of the most important.
Third-party involvement in breaches has doubled to 30%. Attackers figured out that breaking into a small vendor is an easy way to reach a bigger target. So your accounting software provider, your printer maintenance company, your marketing agency, any of them can become the door an attacker walks through.
What to do: Make a list of every vendor with access to your systems or data. Ask each one a simple question: what is your security program, and when was your last audit? The answer (or the lack of one) tells you a lot.
4. Identity Is the New Perimeter
In 2023, “zero trust” was the trendy phrase. In 2026 it is the default, but the focus has narrowed to one thing: identity.
Credential abuse is the leading initial attack vector, behind 22% of breaches. Attackers do not break in. They log in with stolen passwords. And unmanaged devices were behind 46% of compromised systems.
What to do: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on everything that supports it. Not just email. Everything. And make sure personal devices used for work have proper security on them.
5. Regulation Is Real Now
In 2023, GDPR and CCPA were the main regulations small businesses worried about. By 2026, the list is much longer. Most U.S. states have privacy laws. Industry rules have gotten stricter. Executives may now be held personally accountable for breaches in certain jurisdictions.
What to do: Know which rules apply to your business based on your industry and the states where your customers live. If you do not know, find out. A compliance gap is much cheaper to fix than a regulator’s fine.
What This Looks Like in Practice
If you read all five trends and felt overwhelmed, that is normal. Most SMB owners feel the same way. The good news is that the work breaks down into four buckets:
- People: Train your team on AI-era phishing and verification habits.
- Identity: Strong passwords, MFA everywhere, control over devices.
- Recovery: Tested backups and a written plan for when something goes wrong.
- Vendors: Know who has access to what and check their security.
You do not have to do all of this in a month. You do have to start.
How Novatech Helps
We have been helping businesses stay ahead of cybersecurity threats for over 30 years. Our managed cybersecurity service handles the four buckets above so you do not have to staff for it in-house.
The goal is not to sell you every new tool. It is to give you a clear program that matches the threats you actually face in 2026, not the threats articles were warning about in 2023.
Your Next Step
No jargon. No scare tactics. Just a clear picture of where you are and what comes next.
