We don’t have to restate just how much AI is changing the world…
Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday business operations. Companies use AI to draft emails, analyze data, support customer service, and speed up decision-making. For many organizations across Boston, Worcester, Providence, Hartford, and Framingham, AI adoption feels necessary to stay competitive.
What caught many business leaders off guard in 2025 is how quickly AI also changed cybersecurity.
Throughout the year, cybersecurity researchers, federal agencies, and technology analysts documented real incidents showing that artificial intelligence was being used to make cyberattacks faster, more convincing, and harder to detect. These were not future predictions or experimental threats. They were real events that happened to real organizations.
As companies plan for 2026, the question is no longer whether AI is useful. The real question is whether AI is being managed safely. Understanding how AI can increase cybersecurity risk is the first step toward preventing it from becoming your biggest security problem.
How AI Made Ransomware Even Harder to Stop
Ransomware has been one of the most common cybersecurity threats for years. Traditionally, ransomware followed a predictable pattern. Attackers gained access, encrypted files, and demanded payment. Security tools were designed to recognize known ransomware behavior and stop it before damage occurred.
In 2025, that predictability started to disappear.
Cybersecurity researchers reported that ransomware campaigns that used artificial intelligence to guide decisions during live attacks. Instead of following a fixed script, this ransomware analyzed networks, identified weak systems, and adjusted its behavior when blocked. These real-world findings were reported in the second half of 2025.
AI-powered ransomware can:
- Identify the easiest systems to compromise
- Avoid basic security defenses
- Change tactics mid-attack
For businesses in Boston, Worcester, and Framingham, this matters because traditional security tools often rely on recognizing known threats. AI-driven ransomware does not always look the same twice, which makes older defenses less effective.
When ransomware succeeds, the impact goes beyond IT systems. Operations slow or stop. Employees lose access to files. Customers experience delays. Recovery costs often exceed the ransom demand itself.
As businesses head into 2026, ransomware defense must focus on limiting access, protecting backups, and monitoring for unusual behavior rather than relying on outdated detection methods.
How AI Turned Impersonation Into a Proven Business Risk
One of the most concerning cybersecurity developments in 2025 had nothing to do with hacking software.
It had everything to do with trust…
We can’t even fully trust what we hear on the phone anymore.
In documented incidents during 2025, AI-generated voice calls were used to impersonate high-profile U.S. officials, including communications sent to foreign ministers. These events were confirmed and reported publicly by Reuters.
This moment matters for business leaders because it proves a critical point. If artificial intelligence can convincingly impersonate U.S. government officials, it can just as easily impersonate:
- Company executives
- Finance managers
- Trusted vendors or partners
The FBI also warned in 2025 about the rise of AI-generated voice phishing, commonly called vishing. These attacks succeed because the messages sound real and familiar, removing many of the traditional warning signs people rely on.
For businesses across Providence, Hartford, and Boston, impersonation attacks are especially dangerous. One convincing phone call or email can lead to fraudulent payments, stolen credentials, or unauthorized access to systems.
If even the most secure parts of society are vulnerable to AI impersonation, no business should assume it is immune.
How AI Quietly Expanded Cloud Security Risks
Most AI tools used by businesses today are cloud-based. Email platforms, file storage systems, accounting software, customer management tools, and AI assistants all rely on cloud infrastructure.
In 2025, many organizations adopted these tools quickly. Security reviews often lagged behind deployment.
Research published during the year from TechRadar showed that rapid AI adoption significantly increased cloud security risks, especially through misconfigured settings and overly broad access permissions.
Additional reporting highlighted how cloud security teams struggled to keep up as systems, users, and integrations expanded faster than security practices could adapt.
In many cases, attackers did not exploit advanced vulnerabilities. They found access that already existed.
For organizations operating across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, including multi-location businesses in Worcester and Framingham, cloud misconfigurations can quickly turn small mistakes into major breaches.
Preparing for 2026 means treating cloud access and permissions as a core cybersecurity priority.
So… What Can You Do About This?
As businesses in Boston, Worcester, Providence, Hartford, and Framingham plan for the year ahead, a few priorities stand out.
Organizations should focus on protecting people, not just systems. Most attacks now start with messages or phone calls, not malware. Controlling who has access to systems matters more than adding new tools. And leaders should assume AI will continue to be used by attackers, because it already is.
If your business adopted AI tools in 2025 but has not reviewed how they impact cybersecurity risk, now is the time.
We’ll walk you through your AI strategy in a simple workshop that’s built just for your business. Find out what AI practices are best for your business, how you can defend your business from these AI threats, and walk away with the relief you need knowing you’re not behind on the AI wave.
You can sign up right here; we have limited availability so don’t wait for it to fill up:
Click Here to Sign Up for Attain Technology’s AI Workshop
A focused security assessment can uncover unnecessary access, cloud misconfigurations, and gaps in employee awareness before they turn into costly incidents.
Why Choose Attain Technology
At Attain Technology, we have supported businesses across Boston, Worcester, Providence, Hartford, and Framingham for nearly two decades. We understand how cybersecurity risks affect real operations, not just IT systems.
Our proactive approach, transparent communication, and human support help organizations use technology safely and confidently. If you want AI to be a business advantage instead of a security liability, we are here to help.
FAQ
How does AI increase cybersecurity risk for businesses?
AI helps attackers automate attacks, impersonate people, and exploit cloud systems faster than traditional defenses can respond.
Is AI-powered ransomware actually happening?
Yes. Security researchers documented real AI-driven ransomware campaigns in 2025.
Why are impersonation attacks more dangerous now?
AI can clone voices and write realistic messages, making fraud much harder to detect.
Do AI tools increase cloud security risks?
Many AI tools require cloud access, which can lead to misconfigurations and overly broad permissions if not managed carefully.
