Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 Regional Analysis South Asia FEBRUARY 2026 Introduction Cybersecurity risk in 2026 is accelerating, fuelled by advances in AI, deepening geopolitical fragmentation and the complexity of supply chains. This analysis builds on the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 (GCO 2026) to examine how these global trends are playing out in South Asia, providing a focused view of the region’s evolving cybersecurity landscape.1 Key takeaways on South Asia –89% of organizations in South Asia believe AI and machine learning will have the greatest impact on cybersecurity in the next 12 months (globally 94%). –81% of businesses in the region have implemented AI-enabled tools to meet their cybersecurity objectives (globally 77%). –74% of organizations surveyed have changed their cybersecurity strategies due to geopolitical volatility (globally 66%). –Ransomware and cyber-enabled fraud and phishing are the top two perceived cyber risks in the region. –43% of South Asian organizations reported missing critical people and skills to meet their cybersecurity objectives (globally 50%). –8% of organizations in South Asia rate their cyber resilience as exceeding requirements (globally 19%), while around 77% assess their cyber resilience as meeting minimum requirements (globally 64%).AI Security AI risk perception –According to the survey, 89% of organizations in the region believe AI and machine learning will have the greatest impact on cybersecurity in the next 12 months, and 87% report that AI-related risks have increased. –62% of organizations in South Asia report they assess the security of AI tools before deployment at least once or periodically (globally 64%). Furthermore, data leaks are the most pressing cybersecurity issue linked to generative AI in this region. AI for security –Organizations in South Asia are actively adopting AI- enabled tools to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, but significant barriers remain. –The GCO 2026 survey shows that 81% of organizations in the region have implemented AI-enabled tools to meet their cybersecurity objectives (globally 77%), signalling strong momentum towards AI-driven security solutions. Has your organization implemented any AI-enabled tools to fulfil its cybersecurity objectives? –Despite this progress, insufficient knowledge and skills (62%), along with the need for human validation of AI- generated security responses (45%), remain the top challenges to adopting AI for cybersecurity. 1. The number of respondents from this region in the GCO 2026 survey is lower than in other regions. As a result, the findings may have reduced statistical robustness and should be interpreted with due caution.Yes No81% 19%