AI Security in 2026: Should Businesses Be Worried?

AI Security in 2026: Should Businesses Be Worried?

As AI takes over in 2026, one uncomfortable fact every business has to confront is whether the technology that is going to make us faster is making us easier to attack? Yes, the evidence points to it, but the threat is quite different to the science fiction version. The IBM 2026 Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that attacks fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI) increased by 56% over 12 months, with 22% of UK organisations reporting AI hacking attempts.

At the same time, adoption is racing ahead of protection. The government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026 revealed that just 24% of UK firms that are currently implementing AI or are planning to do so have security practices in place to address the risks it poses. That is why, in any engagement with AI in the UK, securing that gap is now a fundamental requirement of any serious AI consulting UK engagement, as an insecure AI tool is a liability not an asset.

In this guide we’ll discuss what AI security is, what risks to focus on, and which risks are exaggerated and what steps UK businesses can take today.

What Is AI Security?

AI security is the process of ensuring the security of the AI systems that your business relies on, and the data passing through them, from misuse, manipulation and attacks. It has two sides:

• Securing your own AI: Protecting the safety of chatbots, models, AI agents and the data they access from prompt injection, data leakage, and unauthorised access.
• Defending against AI-powered attacks: Dealing with criminals creating convincing phishing emails, using impersonated voices and exploiting vulnerabilities faster with AI.

Most organisations will have to respond to both simultaneously and hence AI security isn’t part of traditional Cyber Security but rather complementing it.

Why AI Security Matters More in 2026

The warnings are no longer coming only from security vendors. Governments and researchers are saying the same thing:

• The window is shrinking: The Five Eyes cyber agencies, including the UK’s NCSC, issued a joint statement on 22 June 2026 in which they predict that frontier AI will “rewrite the cyber threat landscape” and state: “The time frame is not years, it’s months.”
• Shadow AI is now a major breach factor: 43% of breaches analysed were committed with employees using AI tools that weren’t approved by the organisation, up from 20% in 2025, and 92% of companies reporting an incident did not have the correct access controls to AI.
• Breaches are getting more expensive: The average cost of a breach reached a new high this year, both in the UK (£3.13 million) and globally (a global average of $4.99 million).
• The problem will grow: Gartner projects that by 2030, more than 40% of organisations will face security and compliance breaches as a result of unauthorised use of AI tools.

The 5 Biggest AI Security Risks for UK Businesses

The concept of Deepfakes becomes a reality. British engineering firm Arup lost around £20 million after an employee joined a video call with deepfake recreations of the company’s CFO and colleagues, then made 15 separate transfers.

AI agents raise the stakes further. As companies transition from basic chatbots to fully-fledged agentic AI UK rollout, they are enabling software to take action rather than just respond. It goes without saying that the security access needs to match that of a senior employee, and likely be even more closely monitored, for an AI agent that reads inboxes and approves invoices.

Should Businesses Be Worried? A Realistic View

There is cause for concern, but there is no need for panic. The majority of AI related incidents are the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities that have been responsible for incidents in the past: weak access controls, missing policies and protected data. Out of all the breached organisations, 53% did not use encryption for sensitive data at rest and in transit, according to IBM’s research.

The shadow AI point is particularly apt: 69% of cyber security professionals have seen, or suspect, their staff members using public generative AI in the workplace. The Five Eyes agencies also highlight that AI also has a positive impact on defenders as a capability to help identify vulnerabilities earlier and respond to incidents quicker in time.

How to Protect Your Business: A 6-Step AI Security Plan

1. Map your AI use: Document all AI tools, models and agents used (including staff usage of approved AI tools). If you don’t know what you are looking for, you cannot catch it.
2. Set a clear AI usage policy: Much of the generative AI UK staff use in the workplace is from free public chatbots, therefore publish an approved list of chatbots, tell teams what data should never be added and give them a safe alternative.
3. Apply least-privilege access: Restrict access to AI agents and integrations and establish multi-factor authentication and audits routinely.
4. Test before and after launch: Red-teaming of AI applications with prompt injection and data leakage. The UK government’s AI Cyber Security Code of Practice outlines 13 principles throughout the AI life cycle, from design to end of life.
5. Train staff to spot AI-enabled fraud: Enable call-back verification of payment requests, and don’t take voice or video payments lightly.
6. Prepare for incidents: Ensure plans are updated for AI specific scenarios and ensure that baseline controls including Cyber Essentials are expanded upon, whilst keeping the UK GDPR breach reporting requirements in mind.

How We Approach AI Security

We integrate security into AI from the ground up, not sorting it out after the fact, at RSK Business Solutions. Our global team offers enterprise AI risk and security services, including AI risk assessments, application security for enterprises on generative AI, governance of AI in the workforce and AI threat monitoring to safeguard operations continuously.

As we too build and design AI solutions, we know where they are going to be exposed, and we can secure them without slowing adoption plans down.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the top 3 AI security risks?

AI-powered phishing and deepfake fraud, data leakage through shadow AI and through prompt injection attacks on AI tools are the top three threats identified for most UK businesses today. They attack people, data and the AI itself, and a defence must be based on the mix of policy, training, and technical controls.

1. What are the AI security trends for 2026?

The major trends that have been observed include a drastic increase in AI-related attacks, deepfake impersonation, shadow AI incidents, and the security of autonomous agents. Governments are also increasing their attack on fundamentals, with the Five Eyes agencies calling for more rapid patching, increased identity control and counter-AI measures.

1. Is it safe for employees to use public AI tools like ChatGPT?

It can be, if you’re in control of what you put in. The main risk is staff entering personal or confidential data into tools the business has not approved. That’s significantly mitigated by an approved list of tools, accounts with data protections and guidelines on what constitutes sensitive information.

1. Does UK GDPR apply to AI tools?

Yes. When an AI system is used to process personal data, the GDPR applies and your organisation is responsible even if you are using a third-party tool to process the data. The ICO’s guidance on AI and data protection includes considerations for the lawful basis, security and when a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) is required.

Conclusion

Thus, is AI security a concern for businesses in 2026? Concerned enough to take action? Yes. Despite the possibility of visibility, sensible policy, and tight access controls and regular testing, the majority of threats are very real and continuing to grow. The ones who will find it difficult will be the ones who let AI get ahead of their protective measures.

If you’re considering partnering with an AI development company UK teams can trust, look for one that incorporates security into its design process rather than an add-on. For further details on the AI risk specific to you, please reach out to our team for a consultation.