Introduction
The CrowdStrike 2026 Global Threat Report provides a detailed picture of how the cyber threat landscape is evolving. Attackers are moving faster, operating more quietly, and increasingly exploiting trusted systems rather than deploying obvious malware.
In our previous article we explored the key findings from the report. The next question many organisations ask is more practical: What do these trends actually mean for us?
The findings highlight several areas that organisations should review to ensure their cyber security strategy keeps pace with modern threats. Below are some of the most important considerations.
Can You Detect an Attack in Minutes?
One of the most striking statistics in the report is the average breakout time of 29 minutes. This refers to the time between an attacker gaining initial access and moving laterally within a network to expand their control.
In some cases, attackers began attempting data exfiltration within four minutes of gaining access.
This dramatically reduces the time available for defenders to detect and contain an incident.
Many organisations still rely on security processes that operate on a far slower timescale. Manual alert triage, delayed log analysis, or limited monitoring coverage can allow attackers to move freely before they are detected.
Organisations should consider asking themselves:
• Do we have continuous monitoring of our environment?
• How quickly are alerts investigated and triaged?
• Do we have clear incident response procedures in place?
• Can our teams respond to an incident at any time of day?
Detection speed is now one of the most important factors in limiting the impact of a cyber-attack.
Are Credentials Your Biggest Security Risk?
Another major finding from the report is that 82 percent of detections were malware free.
Instead of deploying malicious software, attackers are increasingly logging into systems using stolen or compromised credentials. Once inside, they can move through networks using legitimate tools and trusted access paths.
This makes traditional security approaches less effective, particularly those focused primarily on malware detection.
Organisations should review how well they protect identities and access privileges. Key considerations may include:
• Is multi factor authentication enforced across critical systems?
• Are privileged accounts tightly controlled and monitored?
• Do we have visibility into unusual login behaviour?
• Are access permissions regularly reviewed?
Identity has become one of the most important security control points in modern environments.
Do You Have Visibility Across Cloud and SaaS Platforms?
The report also highlights a 37 percent increase in cloud focused intrusions. As organisations rely more heavily on cloud platforms and SaaS applications, attackers are increasingly targeting these environments.
Many organisations now operate complex digital ecosystems that include cloud infrastructure, SaaS applications, remote workers, and hybrid identity systems. Without clear visibility across these environments, security teams can struggle to detect suspicious activity.
Organisations should consider reviewing:
- Logging and monitoring across SaaS platforms
- Access control policies for cloud services
- Identity federation and single sign on configurations
- Security responsibilities under the shared responsibility model
Understanding where data resides and who can access it is essential to maintaining control of cloud environments.
Are Your Edge Devices Properly Secured?
Another trend highlighted in the report is the growing focus on network edge infrastructure.
Devices such as VPN gateways, firewalls, and internet facing appliances are frequently targeted by attackers because they can provide a direct path into a network. These systems can sometimes be overlooked in security monitoring programmes.
In many cases, vulnerabilities in edge devices can be exploited very quickly after they are disclosed.
Organisations may wish to review:
- Patch management processes for network devices
- Visibility into internet facing infrastructure
- Monitoring of unusual activity on edge systems
- Asset inventories for externally exposed services
Maintaining a clear understanding of the organisation’s external attack surface is becoming increasingly important.
Could You Detect an Attack That Uses No Malware?
One of the most important shifts highlighted by the report is the increasing use of malware free attacks.
These attacks rely on legitimate tools, administrative utilities, or built in system capabilities to carry out malicious activity. Because these tools are commonly used for normal system administration, distinguishing malicious behaviour from legitimate activity can be challenging.
This is why many organisations are moving toward security approaches that focus on behaviour and threat detection rather than simply preventing malware execution.
Organisations may wish to consider:
- Behavioural monitoring and anomaly detection
- Centralised logging and correlation of security events
- Threat hunting capabilities
- Continuous monitoring across endpoints, identities, and cloud systems
Security strategies increasingly depend on the ability to identify suspicious behaviour rather than relying solely on signature-based detection.
Turning Insight into Resilience
The CrowdStrike Global Threat Report highlights how rapidly the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve. Attackers are becoming faster, more automated, and more capable of operating quietly inside trusted systems.
For organisations, this reinforces the importance of regularly reviewing security posture and ensuring that defensive capabilities evolve alongside emerging threats.
Cyber security today is not simply about deploying individual tools. It is about building a resilient security architecture that combines visibility, monitoring, and rapid response across the entire digital environment.
At Amicis Group, we help organisations translate threat intelligence into practical cyber resilience, ensuring that security strategies keep pace with the realities of modern cyber threats.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of your organisation’s cyber security posture, our team would be happy to help.
You are welcome to call us on 0333 305 5348, or contact us via our Contact Us page to arrange a conversation.
