A recent report by ESET has revealed that 79% of organisations in Singapore encountered at least one AI-related cyber threat in the past year. The ESET Enterprise Cybersecurity Report 2026, based on a survey of 400 cybersecurity decision-makers, highlights the growing risks as AI becomes more integrated into business operations. Nearly all surveyed organisations (97%) are either using or piloting AI across various functions, including customer service and risk management.
The report underscores the need for better oversight, as only 49% of organisations have implemented measures to monitor AI tool access and outputs. Parvinder Walia, President of the APAC region at ESET, emphasised the importance of knowing how and where AI is used, stating, “AI is becoming deeply embedded in how businesses operate. Organisations must ensure the right oversight and safeguards are in place.”
AI-related risks are not only internal but also stem from external attackers. Common threats include AI-generated phishing and impersonation attacks, reported by 46% of organisations, and deepfake or voice cloning attacks, affecting 39%. Financial services and technology companies reported the highest levels of these threats.
Beyond AI-related issues, 71% of organisations experienced at least one major cybersecurity incident last year, with cloud breaches and insider threats being prevalent. The report also noted that 76% of organisations could detect and respond to threats within 24 hours, though delayed detection remains a challenge.
As AI adoption grows, organisations are shifting their cybersecurity priorities, with 43% planning to adopt Managed Detection and Response (MDR) capabilities in the next year. Cyber insurance is also gaining traction, despite challenges in obtaining coverage due to stricter security requirements.
