- 26
- February
On 25 February 2026, IBM released the X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2026, its annual report summarizing the global cyber threat landscape. The findings are alarming — attacks on internet-facing applications surged 44%, ransomware groups increased by 49%, and most critically, AI is now being weaponized by attackers, no longer serving solely as a defensive tool. This article summarizes the key findings from the report and outlines how Thai organizations should prepare.
Key Statistics from the IBM X-Force 2026 Report
The X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2026 compiled data from security incidents across more than 130 countries, through Incident Response teams and Dark Web intelligence. Here are the key statistics:
| Issue | Figure | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Application attacks | Up 44% | Internet-facing applications are the primary target, including ERP systems and accounting software |
| #1 cause of attacks | Vulnerabilities (40%) | Vulnerability exploitation has overtaken phishing as the #1 initial access vector |
| Ransomware groups | Up 49% YoY | The number of ransomware threat groups has surged, reflecting growing financial motivation |
| ChatGPT credentials leaked | Over 300,000 accounts | Stolen by Infostealer malware — highlighting the risk of AI tools used by organizations |
| Access control issues | Critical vulnerability | Missing Authentication Controls is a key weakness exploited by attackers |
Key observation: This is the first year that Vulnerability Exploitation has overtaken Phishing as the #1 cause of all attacks (40% of all incidents). This means patching and vulnerability scanning are more critical than ever.
How AI Is Being Weaponized
One of the most concerning findings from the IBM X-Force 2026 report is that AI is no longer just a defensive tool — it is being systematically weaponized by attackers in the following ways:
1. AI for Reconnaissance
Attackers are using AI to automatically scan and analyze targets — finding vulnerabilities in websites, ERP systems, or internet-facing applications many times faster than humans. What used to take weeks can now be accomplished in just hours.
2. AI-Generated Phishing Emails
With the capabilities of Generative AI, attackers can craft phishing emails that are remarkably convincing — grammatically perfect, contextually appropriate, and virtually indistinguishable from legitimate communications. Although phishing is no longer the #1 attack vector, AI-powered phishing remains a dangerous threat.
3. Automated Ransomware
AI is being used to automate the ransomware attack chain — from initial system compromise and lateral movement within networks to data encryption. The entire process happens so rapidly that IT teams may not be able to respond in time.
4. Stolen AI Credentials
The report reveals that more than 300,000 ChatGPT accounts were stolen by Infostealer malware. This means that prompts, data entered into AI tools, and entire conversation histories could fall into the hands of malicious actors. If organizations use AI without proper security measures, sensitive business data could be exposed.
Risk for Thai organizations: Many organizations have started using AI for daily tasks — writing emails, summarizing reports, or analyzing data — but often lack governance policies for AI usage. As a result, sensitive organizational data may be unknowingly fed into external AI systems.
Why ERP Systems Are Prime Targets for Attackers
ERP systems are the backbone of any organization because they store the most valuable data:
- Financial data — balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow, bank account information
- Customer and partner data — names, addresses, tax IDs, trade terms
- Employee data — salaries, national ID numbers, personal information subject to PDPA
- Product and cost data — cost prices, production formulas, supplier information
- Procurement data — quotation prices, contracts, terms and conditions
According to the IBM X-Force report, attacks on internet-facing applications increased by 44%, and many modern ERP systems are web-based, allowing employee access via the internet — making them direct targets.
Furthermore, the Missing Authentication Controls issue highlighted in the report aligns with common problems found in Thai organizations' ERP systems, such as:
- No two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Using the same password across all systems
- No Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
- Inadequate session management
- No audit logging or access monitoring
7 Security Measures Organizations Must Implement Immediately
Based on the IBM X-Force 2026 report, Thai organizations should take the following actions to reduce risk:
1. Patch Management — Apply Patches Immediately
Since vulnerabilities are the #1 cause of attacks (40%), patching must be done as soon as updates are released — for operating systems, applications, and ERP systems alike. Do not wait for the next scheduled maintenance window. Read more about the most common vulnerabilities according to OWASP Top 10.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on All Systems
The report identifies Missing Authentication Controls as a primary weakness. Enabling 2FA or MFA for all critical systems — especially ERP, email, and VPN — significantly reduces the risk of credential theft.
3. Conduct Regular Vulnerability Assessments
Organizations should perform Vulnerability Assessments at least quarterly, especially for internet-facing systems. Penetration Testing should be conducted at least annually to discover vulnerabilities before attackers do.
4. Prepare an Incident Response Plan
With ransomware groups up 49%, organizations must have a clear incident response plan — who does what, when, who to contact, where backups are stored, and how to recover. Every step must be documented and regularly tested. Read more about Disaster Recovery planning.
5. Establish AI Usage Policies
With over 300,000 ChatGPT credentials stolen, organizations must have clear policies defining:
- What types of data are prohibited from being entered into external AI tools
- Which channels employees should use for AI access
- Whether AI usage is monitored and logged
- AI account passwords must not be reused across other systems
6. Provide Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Although phishing is no longer the #1 attack vector, it remains a significant threat — especially as AI makes phishing emails more convincing. Organizations must regularly train employees to recognize warning signs and know whom to report suspicious activity to. Read more about the cybersecurity situation in Thailand.
7. Review Network Segmentation and Zero Trust
Isolate critical systems (such as ERP, accounting, and customer databases) from the general network. Apply the Zero Trust principle — "never trust, always verify." Every access request must be authenticated, even from within the organization's own network.
How ERP Systems Help with Security
A well-designed ERP system includes built-in security mechanisms that help mitigate the threats identified in the IBM X-Force report:
| Security Mechanism | What It Protects Against |
|---|---|
| Audit Trail / Log | Records every data change — who did it, when, and what was changed. Helps detect anomalous behavior and serves as evidence during incidents. |
| Role-based Access Control (RBAC) | Assigns access permissions based on job roles — employees only see data relevant to their work, reducing insider threat risk. |
| Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) | Even if a password is stolen, attackers still need an OTP or Authenticator App to log in — mitigating the impact of credential theft. |
| Approval Workflow | Critical transactions (such as purchase order approvals or payment term changes) require multi-level authorization, preventing internal fraud. |
| Separation of Duties | Separates creator, approver, and auditor roles so no single person can complete an entire transaction, reducing fraud risk. |
| Data Encryption | Encrypts data both in-transit and at-rest — even if data is leaked, attackers cannot read it. |
| Backup & Recovery | Automated backups with regular recovery testing — when hit by ransomware, data can be restored without paying a ransom. |
Saeree ERP supports all of these security mechanisms — Audit Trail, Role-based Access Control, 2FA, Approval Workflow, and Backup — providing organizations with a strong security foundation from day one.
Lessons from IBM X-Force 2026 for Thai Organizations
This report reflects the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and offers critical lessons for Thai organizations:
- Technical vulnerabilities are more dangerous than phishing — Patching is not something to do "when you have time." It must be done immediately, as 40% of attack incidents stem from unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Ransomware remains a primary threat — Threat groups increased by 49%, and AI is accelerating attacks. Organizations without a Disaster Recovery plan will suffer severe consequences.
- AI is a double-edged sword — It boosts productivity but is also being weaponized. Organizations must have clear AI governance policies.
- Access control is fundamental — MFA, RBAC, and Separation of Duties are not "nice to have" but "must have" for every organization.
- Cyber threats in Thailand align with global trends — The IBM report figures match the situation Thailand is experiencing, with increasing attacks on both government and private sector systems.
Cyber threats do not discriminate between large or small organizations, legacy or modern systems — attackers always look for the easiest vulnerability. An ERP system with access controls, audit trails, and a ready-to-use backup plan is an organization's first line of defense.
- Saeree ERP Team
Summary — Action Items After Reading IBM X-Force 2026
The IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2026 is a clear warning that threats are intensifying every year, especially as AI is being used on both the defensive and offensive sides. Here is what organizations should do immediately:
- Audit your ERP and critical applications — Are there unpatched vulnerabilities? Are unnecessary ports open?
- Enable MFA immediately — For ERP systems, email, VPN, and all externally accessible systems.
- Review access permissions — Who can access what? Are there excessive privileges?
- Test your backups — Where are backups stored? When was the last recovery test? Can you actually restore?
- Establish AI usage policies — Define what data types are prohibited from being used with external AI.
- Train your employees — Educate them about new threat patterns, especially AI-powered phishing.
If your organization is looking for an ERP system with built-in security mechanisms — including Audit Trail, Role-based Access Control, 2FA, and Approval Workflow — you can contact the Saeree ERP consulting team to request a demo and assess your organization's readiness.
