Cybersecurity Threats To Watch Out For In 2026: A Network Optix Guide

Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting laptops and servers anymore. In 2026, attackers are shifting their attention to the systems that bridge the physical and digital world: cameras, sensors, AI models, and the systems that connect them.

Video systems and IoT devices have quietly become some of the most important infrastructure a company owns. They monitor buildings, support day-to-day operations, and generate a constant stream of real-time data. That makes them incredibly valuable, and increasingly attractive to attackers.

This blog breaks down the biggest cybersecurity threats to expect in 2026, explains why video and IoT environments are at the center of these threats, outlines what organizations can do to defend their systems, and describes how Network Optix designs its platform to stay ahead of these risks.

Why Are Cybersecurity Threats So Dangerous?

Cyber attacks aren’t just an IT problem; they disrupt operations, drain resources, and expose organizations to escalating, industry-wide risks. Recent data shows why the threat landscape is becoming more dangerous every year:

• AI is accelerating the speed and scale of attacks. Security researchers are seeing a sharp rise in attacks that use AI to automate tasks like phishing, scanning for vulnerabilities, and adapting to defenses. One recent report found that AI-enabled cyber attacks grew by almost 50% in 2025, and most analysts say AI-generated phishing is now harder to spot than traditional scams, according to SQ Magazine.
• Ransomware continues to cause massive global damage. Some studies estimate that ransomware-related damage could reach $57 billion per year by the end of 2025, according to Mimecast.
• Critical infrastructure is increasingly at risk. Governments and national cybersecurity agencies are warning that ransomware, state-sponsored attacks, and targeting of critical infrastructure will remain top threats through 2026, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

These trends are not abstract. They directly affect any organization that runs large camera networks, smart sensors, IoT devices, or AI-powered video analytics.

The Top Cybersecurity Threats To Look Out For In 2026

1. AI-Powered Attacks Against People and Systems

Attackers are already using AI to write convincing phishing emails, generate fake voices, and automate scanning and exploitation. Some reports note that more than sixty percent of organizations see AI-based social engineering as one of the main risks for 2026 (Designveloper).

For video and IoT systems, this can look like:

• Emails or messages that convincingly impersonate IT staff and ask for admin access to the video platform
• Automated bots looking for exposed camera interfaces or weak credentials at scale
• Attempts to tamper with AI models that analyze video, for example, by feeding them adversarial data

2. Deepfake and AI-Generated Video and Audio

Deepfake tools and AI-generated media are becoming easier to use and more realistic. Fraud specialists are already seeing complete identity kits that combine deepfake faces, voices, and digital histories for sale (Regula).

This can show up as:

• Fake video feeds are used to hide a physical intrusion.
• AI-generated audio that imitates a trusted voice to trick operators.
• Manipulated clips used to mislead, blackmail, or damage reputations

In other words, it will not be enough to ask “what does the camera show?” You also need to ask, “Can I trust that this is real and coming from the device I think it is?”

3. Ransomware and Data Extortion Against Video Archives

Ransomware is still one of the most profitable types of attack, even though some regions are seeing fewer ransom payments as defenses improve and organizations refuse to pay. Ransomware is estimated to cost companies $27 trillion in 2027, a 175% increase from 2022, according to SentinelOne.

Common attack patterns include:

• Attackers are encrypting entire video archives and demanding payment to restore access.
• Threat actors are stealing footage and threatening to leak or sell it unless a ransom is paid.
• Compromised NVRs, servers, or cloud accounts used as entry points to spread ransomware across an organization

For video systems, that means attackers may not only lock access to footage, but also copy sensitive clips and threaten to publish them. This is especially worrying for organizations in healthcare, education, government, and critical infrastructure.

How Can Organizations Start Reducing These Risks Now?

There is no magic switch that solves cybersecurity issues, but there are practical steps that can significantly reduce risk, especially in video and IoT environments.

1. Treat Video and IoT as Core Assets, Not Side Systems

Start by focusing on video and IoT in your security strategy, not leaving it as an afterthought.

• Keep an accurate inventory of cameras, recorders, gateways, and analytics services.
• Map which systems they connect to and what data they handle
• Include video systems in regular risk assessments and incident response plans.

2. Strengthen Identity and Access Across the Video Stack

Move away from shared logins and weak credentials.

• Use individual accounts with role-based access control inside 
• Enforce strong passwords and, wherever possible, multi-factor authentication.
• Restrict who can add or modify devices, AI models, and rules.

3. Lock Down Devices and Firmware

Basic hardware selection and security go a long way in defending your systems.

• Choose cameras and IoT devices from vendors that publish continuous security updates and support modern encryption protocols.
• Keep firmware updated and document when updates are applied.
• Segment networks so devices do not have direct access to critical internal systems.

4. Protect Video Data with Encryption and Smart Storage

Assume that if attackers reach your storage, they will try to copy or leak footage.

• Encrypt video in transit and at rest wherever possible
• Use access controls and logging on video archives.
• Separate storage for different locations or units, so one breach does not expose everything
• Test backup and recovery regularly in case a cyberattack does occur.

5. Plan for Deepfake and AI-Generated Content

Since deepfake and AI-generated video and audio will only get better, it is worth preparing now.

• Educate teams so they understand that not every video is automatically trustworthy and how to identify potential AI-generated content.
• Pair critical alerts with secondary checks, such as sensor data or cross-camera verification.
• Explore AI tools that specialize in detecting manipulated content as they mature.

How Network Optix is Preparing for the Future of Cybersecurity

Network Optix is building for a future where video intelligence is powerful, flexible, and secure by design.

• Nx EVOS provides an open, modular foundation for video and data that can plug into existing security tools and workflows, rather than sitting apart from them.
• Nx AI Manager helps organizations run AI at scale while keeping visibility and control over how models are deployed and maintained.
• Participation in open ecosystems and standards helps ensure that partners can build solutions that are both innovative and secure, without being locked into a single vendor.

The goal is simple: make it easier for organizations to unlock the value of video and AI, while staying ahead of the growing cybersecurity threats that come with a more connected world.

If you are planning your cybersecurity priorities for 2026 and want video systems to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, Nx can help you get there.