Business EconomyPosted at: Dec 1 2025 9:42PM


Global economy faces $23 trillion cybercrime risk from AI-powered attacks

Bengaluru, Dec 1 (UNI) Industrialised cybercrime powered by AI and automation could cost the global economy over 23 trillion dollars by 2027, according to Fortinet's 2026 Cyberthreat Predictions Report.
The report warns that ransomware networks, AI-assisted fraud operations, and professionalized cybercriminal enterprises are set to accelerate attacks, threatening businesses, governments, and critical infrastructure worldwide.
The report highlights a digital landscape where attackers can analyze stolen data in minutes, launch multiple ransomware campaigns simultaneously, and exploit pre-infected botnets to scale operations. Every hour of disruption, data theft, or downtime could result in billions of dollars in losses across healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and energy sectors.
Ransomware affiliates are now industrial-scale operators with specialized roles, automated attack chains, and AI assistants optimizing campaigns for maximum profit. Stolen data is mined, monetized, and resold with precision, often before victims realize a breach has occurred.
The industrialization of cybercrime affects global supply chains. Compromised logistics platforms can halt factories, delay shipments, and trigger cascading losses. Financial institutions face simultaneous fraud, data theft, and ransomware attacks, while government agencies risk disruptions to public services and economic stability.
Fortinet predicts the rise of autonomous AI-powered cybercrime agents in 2026, capable of executing full attack chains with minimal human oversight. Generative AI tools can rapidly analyze stolen datasets, identify high-value targets, and generate personalized ransom messages, further accelerating operations.
The report notes that Crime-as-a-Service marketplaces have matured into integrated underground economies, allowing even low-level actors to launch sophisticated attacks. Fraud, trafficking, and money-laundering networks are converging, creating resilient hybrid enterprises that are difficult to dismantle.
Defenders face urgent challenges. Identity management—covering human and automated accounts—is crucial to prevent a single compromised identity from causing widespread disruption. Predictive intelligence, exposure management, and coordinated response systems must operate at machine speed. Tools such as NDR, EDR, CTEM, and SOAR are essential for detecting anomalies and containing breaches.
Fortinet emphasizes prevention. Early intervention programs and specialized training can reduce recruitment into cybercrime while building the workforce capable of responding to AI-augmented threats in real time.
The report concludes that 2026 will be defined by industrial refinement and acceleration of attacks rather than new malware. Financial resilience will depend on integrating human judgment with AI-driven defense, rapid response, and securing both human and machine identities.
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