Cybersecurity solutions provider Kaspersky said threats that pressured telecommunications operators in 2025 are expected to continue into 2026, as new technologies add fresh security and operational risks.
Advanced persistent threat activity (APT), supply chain attacks, distributed denial-of-service disruptions (DDOS), and fraud linked to SIM technology remained key problems for telecom companies in 2025, Kaspersky said. At the same time, wider use of automation, new encryption methods, and satellite connectivity is increasing the number of systems that need protection.
“The threats that dominated 2025, APT campaigns, supply chain attacks, and DDoS floods, are not going away,” said Leonid Bezvershenko, senior security researcher at Kaspersky GReAT. “But now they intersect with operational risks from AI automation, quantum-ready cryptography, and satellite integration.”
Kaspersky said telecom operators continued to face four main types of threats. Targeted intrusions aimed to gain quiet, long-term access to networks for spying or control. Supply chain weaknesses remained a major concern because telecom networks depend on many vendors, contractors, and shared platforms, making a single weak link a possible entry point. DDoS attacks also continued to disrupt services by overwhelming network capacity.
Data from Kaspersky Security Network showed that between November 2024 and October 2025, 12.79% of users in the telecommunications sector encountered web-based threats, while 20.76% faced threats on their devices. During the same period, 9.86% of telecom organizations worldwide were affected by ransomware.
“Telecom operators need visibility across both dimensions, maintaining strong defenses against known threats while building security into these new technologies from day one,” said Bezvershenko. “The key is continuous threat intelligence that spans from endpoint to edge to orbit.”
Kaspersky said the telecom industry is now shifting from fast technology development to wider deployment. While this brings new services, it also raises the risk of disruption if changes are poorly managed. The company pointed to AI-assisted network management, where automation could spread errors quickly if data is wrong or misleading. It also flagged the move to post-quantum cryptography, warning that rushed adoption could cause compatibility and performance issues across systems. Another area of concern is the integration of 5G networks with satellite services, which increases dependence on partners and creates more points where failures or attacks could occur.
Kaspersky said telecom companies need to keep track of evolving threats, carefully manage automation, strengthen protection against service outages, and improve their ability to detect and respond to advanced attacks as they prepare for 2026.