Matthew Rosenquist predicts AI will let attackers find and weaponize security flaws faster than defenders can patch them by 2026. The speed mismatch will force rushed patches that introduce new errors, giving hackers a wider window to breach systems. He argues companies need to build security into software design rather than rely on patching alone.
Chapters
AI will dramatically accelerate the technical vulnerability to exploitation cycle, causing great disruption to software developers and service providers in keeping their offerings patched. Cyber attackers will use the incredible automation power of AI to discover, exploit, and weaponize vulnerabilities much faster in 2026. This increase in speed will put tremendous pressure on defenders to identify vulnerabilities, develop and test fixes and successfully roll out patches without causing further problems. It will force patch remediation cycles to a quicker cadence, which requires more effort and increases the risks of mistakes that could impact downstream users. The reality is the attackers will be better positioned to compromise systems before patching can occur increasing the number of data breaches, system compromises, and destructive downtime. This will also lengthen the amount of time attackers have before being detected and evicted, raising the potential overall impact. 2026 will be a troubling year for vulnerability management teams, tools, and processes. Attackers will win this round through the use of AI. The resulting stress and losses will force a reevaluation for patching and better upstream hardening during the design and development phases.
