Cloudflare, the leading connectivity cloud company, released its 2026 Cloudflare Threat Report today. The report highlights a major shift in modern cyberattacks. Data shows that hackers are using AI to exploit vulnerabilities. They continue targeting traditional weak spots like email. DDoS attacks are reaching unprecedented scale.

The report draws on the expertise of the Cloudforce One threat research team and Cloudflare’s global network. On average, the company blocks 230 billion threats every day. Threat actors are moving faster than ever. They are infiltrating payroll systems and tricking software into trusting them. Security now focuses on verifying users inside networks, not just keeping strangers out.

Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, said, “Hackers thrive on gaps left by stale threat intelligence. Our global sensor network gives us visibility that others lack. Sharing this intelligence helps defenders gain the advantage.”

Cloudforce One analyzed trillions of network signals and tactics. The report details AI’s role in attacks, nation-state espionage, and common attack methods. Threat actors are using Large Language Models (LLMs) to map networks, develop exploits, and create hyper-realistic deepfakes. One attack compromised hundreds of corporate SaaS tenants.

Chinese state-sponsored actors, including Salt Typhoon and Linen Typhoon, are focusing on North American telecoms, government entities, and IT services. They are shifting from broad attacks to precision strikes. Meanwhile, North Korean operatives use AI deepfakes and fraudulent IDs to embed state-sponsored workers into Western corporate payrolls. They often operate through U.S.-based “laptop farms” to mask their location.

DDoS attacks are surpassing human response capabilities. Large botnets like Aisuru can take down entire national networks. Record-breaking attacks have reached 31.4 Tbps. High-speed attacks now require autonomous defenses.

Blake Darché, head of threat intelligence at Cloudforce One, said, “Threat actors constantly change tactics. Organizations must move from reactive to real-time, actionable intelligence. This report is a North Star for defenders.”

The 2026 Cloudflare Threat Report provides critical insights. It helps security teams understand AI-driven attacks, DDoS threats, and corporate identity hijacking. With intelligence-led strategies, organizations can stay ahead of evolving threats.

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