AI agents will be a key cybersecurity risk in 2026, according to new research from Gartner. The consultancy published the findings as part of a report on the top cybersecurity trends of the year, with other key trends spotlighting “regulatory volatility” and “postquantum computing.”
According to the firm, the uptake of AI agents and recent proliferation of vibe coding platforms will create new attack surfaces for cybercriminals to exploit. Gartner believes a higher level of governance and oversight is required to prevent a potential cybersecurity catastrophe.
The rapid ascent of AI has given rise to innumerable opportunities, but it has not been without its risks. As the technology is relatively new, development has not been able to keep pace with deployment. Consequently, existing safeguards are not fit for purpose, with mounting evidence that AI agents are vulnerable to exploitation.
