Cybercrime is rising rapidly across regions as cyberattacks become more sophisticated and harder to detect with the growing use of artificial intelligence. According to the latest report from the Industrial Cybersecurity Center of Gipuzkoa, global attacks increased by 29% during the first quarter of 2026.
In Gipuzkoa, cybercrime now accounts for 25% of all criminal offenses. In Bizkaia, the figure stands at 20%, while Araba reported 19%.
María Penilla, director of ZIUR, said the rise in cyberattacks reflects a continuing global trend influenced by geopolitical tensions and digital warfare.
“All these countries with conflicts have their cyber armies and use these digital attacks as another weapon to exert pressure,” Penilla explained.
Authorities warned that artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in it. While AI supports cybersecurity defenses, cybercriminals are also rapidly adopting the technology to launch more realistic and effective attacks.
“With AI, it will become increasingly difficult for me to know if an identity impersonation attempt is genuine or not,” Penilla said.
Experts highlighted that AI-powered impersonation attacks using fake videos, images and audio are becoming more advanced, making detection extremely difficult for individuals and businesses.
Large-scale hacks targeting databases are also increasing. Cybercriminals often steal personal information, attempt to extort companies and later sell stolen data on illegal markets, increasing the risk of further attacks.
The public sector remains one of the main targets because attacks on essential services can create pressure on governments and institutions. Industrial and manufacturing companies are also witnessing rising threats due to rapid digital transformation.
One of the most common threats faced by businesses is ransomware. In these attacks, criminals infiltrate systems, steal and encrypt company data, and completely shut down operations.
“There is a clear initial impact where the company stops. Suddenly your company has stopped,” Penilla noted.
Despite the growing risks, ZIUR said awareness around it’s increasing among businesses, including smaller industrial companies that are actively seeking stronger digital protection measures.
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