RSAC 2026: AI Surge Outpaces Defences as Passwords Linger

RSAC 2026 underscored how AI is transforming the cybersecurity landscape at a pace never seen before, with Kelly Jackson Higgins noting the AI wave arrived and accelerated much faster than many organisations were ready for.

Dark Reading’s editor-in-chief described the week as dominated by AI, cybersecurity advances, and industry challenges, while highlighting the three brands under Informa TechTarget—Dark Reading, Cybersecurity Dive, and TechTarget SearchSecurity—and their coordinated, non-duplicative coverage in a “360-degree” approach. The event drew attention to the accelerating pace of change, as vendors rush to bring AI-based tools to market and organisations scramble to catch up.

Higgins also reflected on how authentication remains a stubborn issue, with passwords still in use despite progress towards biometrics and passkeys, and warned that breaches and ransomware continue to test the industry. The coverage, edited for clarity in live transcripts, emphasised the value of collaboration among brands and the need to tailor content to CISOs, SOC managers, and risk professionals as AI reshapes threat landscapes and defensive strategies. According to Informa TechTarget.