Microsoft has released its new Digital Defense Report on the world's top cyberthreats. The document examines in detail how artificial intelligence is helping hackers attack companies faster and why government agencies have become cybercriminals' primary target, infohub.kz reports.
According to the report, the public sector accounted for 27% of observed cyberthreat activity in 2026. A year earlier, that figure stood at 17%. The company explains that government agencies are attractive to attackers because of the large amount of confidential information they hold and the critical services they provide. In addition, government systems are connected to other agencies, contractors, technology suppliers and critical infrastructure operators.
Microsoft notes that attackers are already using AI to automate their attacks. At the same time, many organizations are not yet applying such technologies for defense at the same speed.
"Today, defenders face continuous attacks that operate at machine speed and do not depend on human fatigue, so security teams need to use AI to restore the balance," said Natalia Burlakova, a Microsoft representative.
According to her, an additional risk comes from the uncontrolled use of AI within organizations. Many AI agents act on behalf of users and have the same access rights.
The corporation recommends that government agencies prepare for attacks in advance, protect accounts and critical infrastructure, monitor the use of AI and share threat information with businesses.
It also advises keeping an eye on AI agents inside organizations. Many of them have access to the same data and systems as users. Their rights and actions therefore need to be monitored.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that the stolen Dodo Pizza database may have contained the data of 6.5 million Kazakhstanis.