Use cases of AI for cyber defence across industries FIGURE 14 Has your organization implemented any AI-enabled tools to fulﬁl its cybersecurity objectives? Yes, to detect and respond to intrusion or anomalies Yes, for phishing and email threat detection Yes, for user behaviour analytics and insider threat detectionYes, for automating security operations Yes, for threat intelligence and risk prioritization Energy Financial services Health and consumer ICT and media Manufacturing, supply chain and transportation Materials and infrastructure Professional services and institutional 20%40%60%80% 0% 3.2 Geopolitics is a defining feature of cybersecurity In an increasingly fragmented global environment – marked by conflicts, geoeconomic tensions, trade wars, sanctions and growing technological competition – geopolitics has become a defining force shaping cybersecurity. The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 survey data reveals that, although the percentage of organizations changing their cybersecurity strategy due to geopolitics has declined from 93% in 2023 to 66% in 2026, geopolitics remains the top factor influencing overall cyber risk mitigation strategies. This suggests that the initial wave of adaptations following the geopolitical turmoil that dominated the headlines in 2022 and 2023 has passed, and that geopolitical risk is now a major factor shaping cyber defence. 24 Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026