September 2026

AI is altering the economics of cyberattacks. Tasks that once required time, specialist knowledge, or repeated manual effort can now be performed more quickly and at greater scale. Defenders can benefit from the same efficiencies, provided they understand where automated systems help and where their limitations introduce risk.

That distinction matters because AI does not replace the conditions in which security incidents occur. Attackers still exploit exposed systems and misplaced trust, while security teams still need to understand their environment and make sound decisions under pressure. AI changes the pace of this work, but it does not remove the need for disciplined security practice.

Using findings from ESET research and the SMB Cyber Readiness Index, this paper examines what AI has materially changed and what organizations may be overestimating. It also considers the disparity between rapid adoption and the ability to oversee AI use effectively.

Download the paper for an evidence-led assessment of AI’s role in cybersecurity and the decisions organizations should address as its use expands.