Australia is facing the highest volume of cyberwarfare attacks of any country worldwide, according to new research from Armis, the cyber exposure management and security company. The findings from Armis Labs’ fourth annual Cyberwarfare Report reveal a rapidly escalating threat landscape, driven by AI‑fueled offensive capabilities and widening gaps in organisational cyber readiness.
Armis reports that 72% of Australian organisations have had to report an act of cyberwarfare to authorities up from 56% last year and the highest rate across all countries surveyed. This escalation arrives as 81% of Australian IT decision‑makers voice concern that nation‑state actors will increasingly use AI to launch more sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks.
“Geopolitical tensions, AI acceleration, and unresolved security gaps are colliding,” said Nadir Izrael, CTO and Co‑Founder of Armis. “Attackers are operating at machine speed, while many organisations still rely on outdated tools and assumptions. Leaders must immediately enhance proactive cybersecurity operations.”
“Cyberwarfare is now a constant condition, and organisations must upgrade their defences before it’s too late.”
— Nadir Izrael, CTO & Co‑Founder, Armis
The report highlights widespread fear that global cyber conflict could disrupt critical infrastructure, with 84% of Australian IT leaders warning that nation‑state capabilities could spark a full‑scale cyberwar. 77% believe the ability of adversaries to harness AI will widen the gap between attackers and defenders, while 73% expect emerging technologies including AI and quantum computing to intensify conflict.
Australian organisations also reported significant operational impact:
- 70% experienced an AI‑generated or AI‑led attack in the past 12 months highest among surveyed nations.
- 73% suffered one to two cybersecurity breaches last year.
- 59% admit they still have not fully secured their ecosystem after an attack.
- 66% say their average ransomware payout exceeds their annual cybersecurity budget.
Despite this, Australia is also the most confident globally, with 70% of IT leaders trusting the government’s ability to defend against nation‑state cyber threats.
“As a nation, Australia remains critically under‑prepared for escalating threats,” said Zak Menegazzi, Cybersecurity Specialist, ANZ at Armis. “Reactive and fragmented security postures can no longer protect modern enterprises. Proactive defence is now essential.”
The 2026 Armis Cyberwarfare Report draws on responses from more than 1,900 global IT decision‑makers, including 200 in Australia.