AI Apps Unleash New Cybersecurity Risks

Cybersecurity threats in Europe are escalating at an unprecedented rate, significantly outpacing the rest of the world. Organizations across the continent are contending with a sharp rise in email-borne attacks, with phishing attempts increasing 4.5 times compared to 2025 levels. This surge is attributed to both state-sponsored and profit-driven threat actors.

Specific industries are facing unique challenges. The hospitality and leisure sector is disproportionately targeted with malware, while healthcare organizations are experiencing significant increases in telephone-oriented attack delivery and malware. These trends highlight the evolving nature of cyber threats, which are increasingly targeting core business operations.

Artificial intelligence is introducing new vectors for attack. Over 188,000 AI-enabled applications connected through OAuth frameworks have been identified. While these applications automate processes, they also create vulnerabilities in visibility and identity management, with attackers targeting the very mechanisms that enable this connectivity.

Attacks are increasingly sophisticated and widespread. Precision attacks like phishing and session hijacking have impacted 64% of targeted organizations in Europe, where almost all organizations have faced cloud-based threats. The focus is shifting towards AI infrastructure itself, with attacks on open-source AI technologies like Langflow and LiteLLM seeing a substantial increase.