In 2025, bad actors leveraged AI and other tools to attack IT infrastructure and cause chaos. Experts are divided on whether the industry has been successful in stopping these assaults.

Given all the chatter around AI, it’s easy to forget that mainstream adoption of the technology is still relatively new; OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, which kicked off a process of AI development and integration. Now there’s an arms race between attackers and cybersecurity pros, with big questions on who can deploy the latest generation of cybersecurity AI tools the fastest.

Between automated attacks and deepfakes meant to fool targets, the IT industry has been faced with the tall order of addressing these threats quickly.

Moving fast.—CN

Sometimes it’s the help-desk pro yelling, “Help!”

Shakel Ahmed, now a mentor, cybersecurity career advisor, and founder of insights blog CyberDesserts, remembers a time early in his IT career—some 20 years ago at a software vendor’s help desk—when he wanted to assist a client trying to upgrade their email server. Then, the server crashed.

“I’m trying to look around at people that are on the other calls, colleagues, and trying to get their attention,” Ahmed said. He recalled thinking: I’m drowning here. I need help.

Time for the lifeboat.—BH

As we head into 2026, the healthcare industry’s cybersecurity priorities for the new year are becoming clear—and they’re expected to focus on identity and AI.

We found in 2025 that exposure of personal data and information can lead to future attacks through leaks and social engineering. IT Brew and Healthcare Brew reported on how healthcare workers are the front line of cybersecurity defense—and often stressed about it.

At least some of those defenses seem to be working: Although attacks on the sector increased in 2024 by 9.4%—part of what the HIPAA Journal called “the worst-ever year in terms of breached healthcare records”—incursions declined in 2025, early data suggests. However, the healthcare data of tens of millions of US citizens is still being breached.

Solving the problem.—EH

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