AI attacks drive up data breach costs, IBM report reveals new security challenges

According to a joint report by IBM and the Ponemon Institute, AI-driven attacks now account for a quarter of all malicious data breaches, up 56% year-over-year. These attacks cost an average of $6 million per incident, 20% higher than the average cost of all breaches. Among these, 62% target critical infrastructure, with financial services and energy sectors hit hardest, raising risks of cascading effects on economies, supply chains, and essential services.