Verizon DBIR: Vulnerability exploitation is the dominant initial access vector

The Verizon 2026 DBIR shows that vulnerability exploitation has overtaken credential theft as the leading initial access vector, with slower patching and rising vulnerability volume driving risk; ransomware remains a major factor (48% of breaches), infostealers and credential leaks feed ransomware operations, third-party security gaps and MFA shortcomings persist, and AI both accelerates attacker capabilities and creates new defensive challenges.