In the wake of significant personal data breaches at companies like Coupang last year, concerns about cybersecurity continue to escalate in South Korea. The latest threat identified is that of 'artificial intelligence (AI) agents', which, while designed to act as personal assistants by autonomously managing user tasks, also present risks of data leakage and unauthorized actions. Samsung SDS released a report outlining the top five cybersecurity threats for 2026, stressing that reliance on these AI systems demands heightened vigilance against potential abuses. The market research firm IDC predicts that up to 20% of large enterprises could face lawsuits, fines, or the dismissal of executives due to improper control of AI agents by 2030.

Besides AI agents, Samsung SDS noted other alarmingly evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape, including ransomware, cloud security issues stemming from companies transitioning to cloud environments, phishing scams, and risks associated with unauthorized access to sensitive data. The article emphasizes that advancements in AI not only introduce new vulnerabilities but also enhance attackers' strategies. Phishing techniques, for example, are becoming more sophisticated with the use of technologies such as deepfake and deep voice, making it increasingly challenging for organizations to defend themselves.

To combat these rising cybersecurity threats, the article suggests that a more proactive utilization of AI technologies is essential. With the increasing complexity and number of threats, traditional security measures and expert personnel alone may not suffice. Therefore, investing in reliable AI frameworks and ongoing monitoring can help organizations mitigate their cybersecurity risks, ensuring a safer operational landscape in an AI-driven future.