In 2026, AI security has become a standalone priority for every company that uses artificial intelligence. AI systems can be manipulated in ways different from classic attacks. At Altanet Craiova we believe companies must be aware of these risks. They are real and growing fast.
How serious is the problem?
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 87% of business leaders see AI vulnerabilities as the number one risk for their organisation.
- Over 90 organisations have already reported that their AI tools were directly exploited.
- 300,000 ChatGPT credentials were sold on the dark web. This is the hidden part of the internet.
- 35% of organisations see security as the main barrier to AI adoption.
What types of attacks are specific to AI?
Attacks on AI systems have their own characteristics. They differ from viruses, ransomware or phishing. Here are the main threats:
- Prompt injection (command injection): The attacker tricks the AI model into ignoring its rules. The goal is to disclose confidential information. For example, a chatbot can be made to reveal data about other customers.
- Unauthorized distillation: An entity systematically queries a model in order to copy its knowledge. This creates a proprietary model without payment or agreement. Anthropic has already reported cases of mass extraction of the Claude model's capabilities.
- Data poisoning: Attackers insert false information into the training data. The model will make wrong decisions or ignore certain threats.
- Attacks on autonomous agents: Agents that act independently can be manipulated into carrying out harmful actions. A payment agent can be tricked into approving fraudulent transactions.
How exposed are organisations?
The chart below shows the level of exposure to AI security risks in 2026:
High risk
Growing risk
How do you protect your company against AI security risks?
AI security requires a special approach. Here are the steps needed to protect your company:
- Strong authentication: Simple passwords are no longer enough. Use two-step authentication for every AI account.
- Limiting access: Give access to tools only to the people who need them. This reduces the attack surface.
- Monitoring usage: Track the queries sent to models. High volumes or repetitive requests can signal an attack.
- Vetting vendors: Review privacy policies before integration. Check where your data is stored.
What comes next?
New security standards will appear in 2027. They will target the isolation and verification of autonomous agents. AI security will become a distinct specialty. It will be as important as network security was in the 2000s.
Do you use AI tools in your company? The Altanet Craiova team can carry out a security audit adapted to the new risks. Visit our contact page and let's talk.
This article is part of the Altanet series on AI trends in 2026. Next article: AI geopolitics: What the technology war between the US and China looks like. See also the complete guide to the series.