A new report released in March 2026 by cybersecurity firm Check Point Software Technologies warns that several countries are facing growing cyber risks as artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates faster than cybersecurity preparedness. Among the 38 countries analysed, Bosnia and Herzegovina was identified as the most vulnerable due to a significant gap between AI integration and digital security measures.

The study compared national cybersecurity frameworks with the pace of AI adoption across public, business and technology sectors. It evaluated countries based on AI diffusion rates, cybersecurity policies, protection of critical information infrastructure, cyber incident response, and cyber crisis management. These indicators were then measured against cyber threat exposure levels, including risks from botnets, infostealers, banking trojans, ransomware and mobile attacks.

Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded the lowest Security Index score in the ranking at 22 out of 100, indicating limited preparedness to handle AI-driven cyber threats. Around 20 per cent of organisations in the country have adopted AI technologies, but the country scored zero across key security metrics, including cybersecurity policies, critical infrastructure protection and crisis management systems. Approximately 14 per cent of its digital infrastructure is exposed to cyber threats, with botnet infections identified as the most common attack type.

The report placed Kuwait in second place, highlighting it as the country with the highest cyber threat exposure among the top ten. Nearly 19 per cent of Kuwait’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cyber attacks, while AI adoption has reached roughly 19 per cent of organisations. Although the country has taken some steps to update digital policies, it lacks adequate protection for critical information infrastructure and does not yet have a robust cyber crisis management system.

Qatar ranked third, with 38 per cent AI adoption across its technology and business sectors, the highest level among the top five countries identified in the study. However, the report noted a lack of cybersecurity measures for critical infrastructure. Around 6 per cent of the country’s digital systems remain exposed to cyber threats, with ransomware attacks reported as the most common form of attack.

In fourth place, Jamaica has seen 22 per cent of organisations adopt AI, but cybersecurity policies remain relatively underdeveloped, scoring 40 out of 100. The country also shows moderate cyber incident response capability, scoring 57, while roughly 15 per cent of its digital infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks.

Costa Rica rounded out the top five countries where AI adoption is outpacing cybersecurity readiness. About 27 per cent of organisations in the country have implemented AI technologies. While current cyber threat exposure is comparatively lower, affecting around 6 per cent of digital systems, the report warns that the rapid expansion of AI could make the country a more attractive target for cybercriminals in the near future.

Other countries listed among the top ten with notable gaps between AI adoption and cybersecurity readiness include Argentina, South Africa, Panama, New Zealand and Sweden.

Commenting on the findings, an AI expert from Check Point said that artificial intelligence is increasingly being used both as a tool for cyber defence and as a weapon for cyber attacks. According to the expert, AI-powered botnets are becoming more autonomous, capable of conducting reconnaissance, launching infections and adapting to security defences within minutes—compressing what previously took days into a much shorter timeframe.

The expert added that countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kuwait are particularly at risk because cybersecurity specialists are still developing frameworks to determine how AI systems should handle sensitive information and limit access that could be exploited by hackers.

The report highlights the urgent need for governments and organisations worldwide to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks as AI technologies continue to expand rapidly across industries.