Vulnerabilities are the leading cause of data breaches for the first time

TL;DR AI
2 min readKey summary
Verizon’s 2025 breach report says exploited vulnerabilities have overtaken stolen credentials as the top entry point for breaches for the first time in 19 years.
Unapproved AI use, or shadow AI, is adding new security risk as attackers target AI-enabled workflows and bots.
Third-party exposure and supply-chain dependencies are also increasing, widening the attack surface for organizations.
Mobile-based attacks, including phishing, are rising too, making endpoint and user defenses more important.
The shift underscores the need for faster patching, stronger AI governance, and tighter third-party security.



