Technology

AI Innovation Surges as Security Fundamentals Lag, Kroll Research Finds

Published

13 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

76% of organizations have experienced a security incident involving AI applications or models in the past two years. 27% of organizations report costs exceeding $1 million from AI-related security incidents.As organizational cyber maturity increases, the likelihood of experiencing an incident involving AI reduces significantly, from 89% (very low maturity) to 54% (very high maturity).

NEW YORK, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kroll, the leading independent provider of global financial and risk advisory solutions, has released global cyber resilience research which reveals that rapid artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is dramatically outpacing governance, security controls and incident preparedness.

It has become clear that AI, and in particular agentic AI, has changed the threat model permanently. The research results indicate that while AI is becoming embedded across enterprise operations, 76% of businesses have experienced a security incident involving AI applications or models in the past two years. The research reveals organizations lack the foundational security practices and governance frameworks necessary to deploy AI safely and effectively, costing almost one-third of organizations (27%) over one million dollars related to AI-related security incidents.

While there is appetite to incorporate the promise of AI into security infrastructure, 90% of respondents surveyed identified barriers preventing greater investment in AI security. Lack of clear ROI, insufficient executive understanding of AI risks and the belief that current measures are sufficient account for 40% of those barriers.

The Innovation-Security Trade-Off

The research shows that most organizations are inadequately prepared for AI threats, despite the rapid increase in attacks.

Organizations spend an average of 13% of their AI initiative budget on using AI to test security controls or to test the models themselves, leaving critical gaps in AI security posture and illuminating a disconnect between AI adoption and AI security investment.Companies with highly mature security practices are six times more likely to spend over 20% of their AI budget on testing security controls.Almost half (48%) of respondents stated they have little to no organizational governance on AI tool and service adoption, creating an expanded attack surface that extends far beyond the organization’s traditional perimeter.

Dave Burg, Global Group Head of Cyber and Data Resilience at Kroll, says, “Organizations are under pressure to embrace AI to respond faster and with greater precision to increasingly complex threats. However, this cannot come at the expense of the basics for prevention, detection and responding to attacks. We’re seeing businesses enthusiastically integrate AI into their operations without getting the fundamentals right first, and that’s creating a dangerous security debt.

The real story isn’t that AI is risky; it’s that without the right foundational security in place, AI amplifies existing security weaknesses. Fortunately, there are opportunities for organizations to remediate this. Kroll was recently among industry leaders joining CrowdStrike’s Charlotte AI AgentWorks Ecosystem which helps operationalize AI within managed detection and response, building tailored agents that accelerate investigations and response.”

Maturity Matters: Organizations with Strong Foundations Experience Significantly Fewer AI Incidents

As organizational cyber maturity increases, the likelihood of experiencing an AI-related security incident drops significantly:

89% of organizations with very low cyber maturity experience AI-related security incidents.In contrast, 54% of organizations with very high cyber maturity experience AI-related security incidents.Even further, 46% of organizations with very high cyber maturity reported zero AI-related cyber incidents in the past two years, demonstrating that robust security foundations directly translate to AI security resilience.This is understandable as 69% of organizations with very high cyber maturity have a centralized AI platform strategy with security controls, compared to just 39% of those with very low cyber maturity.

Quiessence Philips, Head of Security Architecture and Engineering at Kroll, says, “AI’s ability to accelerate productivity and innovation is undeniable, and the goal is not to slow it down. However, adoption without concurrent investment in security foundations is not bold, it’s reckless. The agentic AI ecosystem is now the fastest-growing enterprise attack surface, and the organizations most at risk are the ones chasing the opportunity without building security alongside it. Secure architecture, identity management, incident response, security culture – these aren’t limitations on innovation, but what make innovation sustainable.”

You can access the full report on the Kroll website.

You can also register for the webinar discussing these results in-depth here.

About the Research

Kroll commissioned independent research firm Sapio Research to conduct a comprehensive study into cybersecurity resilience and risk alignment in enterprise organizations. The research surveyed 1,000 cybersecurity decision-makers at companies with annual revenues from $50 million to more than $5 billion across 10 countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The survey was conducted in November and December 2025.

About Kroll

As the leading independent provider of financial and risk advisory solutions, Kroll leverages our unique insights, data and technology to help clients stay ahead of complex valuation demands. Kroll’s team of more than 6,500 professionals worldwide continues the firm’s nearly 100-year history of trusted expertise spanning risk, governance, transactions and valuation. Our advanced solutions and intelligence provide clients the foresight they need to create an enduring competitive advantage. At Kroll, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities. Learn more at kroll.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-innovation-surges-as-security-fundamentals-lag-kroll-research-finds-302747672.html

SOURCE Kroll

Technology

Sidus Space Announces Closing of Offering

Published

57 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sidus Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIDU) (“Sidus” or the “Company”), an innovative space and defense technology company, today announced the closing of its previously announced best-efforts offering of 13,453,700 shares of its Class A common stock (or pre-funded warrants (“Pre-funded Warrants”) in lieu thereof). Each share of Class A common stock (or Pre-funded Warrant) was sold at an offering price of $4.35 per share (inclusive of the Pre-funded Warrant exercise price) for gross proceeds of approximately $58.5 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and offering expenses. All of the shares of Class A common stock and Pre-funded Warrants were offered by the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

ThinkEquity acted as sole placement agent for the offering.

The securities were offered and sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-292839), including a base prospectus, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 20, 2026, and declared effective on February 4, 2026. The offering was made by means of a written prospectus. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering have been filed with the SEC and made available on the SEC’s website. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained, when available, from the offices of ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41st Floor, New York, New York 10004.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Sidus Space

Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) is an innovative space and defense technology company offering flexible, cost-effective solutions, including satellite manufacturing and technology integration, AI-driven space-based data solutions, mission planning and management operations, AI/ML products and services, and space and defense hardware manufacturing. With its mission of Space Access Reimagined®, Sidus Space is committed to rapid innovation, adaptable and cost-effective solutions, and the optimization of space systems and data collection performance. With demonstrated space heritage, including manufacturing and operating its own satellite and sensor system, LizzieSat®, Sidus Space serves government, defense, intelligence, and commercial companies around the globe. Strategically headquartered on Florida’s Space Coast, Sidus Space operates a 35,000-square-foot space manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing facility and provides easy access to nearby launch facilities. For more information, visit: sidusspace.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected trading commencement and closing dates. The words ‘anticipate,’ ‘believe,’ ‘continue,’ ‘could,’ ‘estimate,’ ‘expect,’ ‘intend,’ ‘may,’ ‘plan,’ ‘potential,’ ‘predict,’ ‘project,’ ‘should,’ ‘target,’ ‘will,’ ‘would’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Sidus Space’s prospectus supplement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Sidus Space, Inc. specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Investor Relations
Investor-Relations@sidusspace.com

Media
press@sidusspace.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sidus-space-announces-closing-of-offering-302749177.html

SOURCE Sidus Space, Inc.

Technology

Ezee Fiber Connects First Customers in Santa Fe, Accelerates New Mexico Expansion

Published

57 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

HOUSTON, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ezee Fiber, a fast-growing fiber internet company delivering 100% fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, announced it has connected its first customers in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This milestone marks the company’s first major step in building its Santa Fe network and expanding multi-gigabit, symmetrical fiber service across the state.

Installations are now underway, giving residents access to Ezee Fiber’s high-performance network, which features symmetrical multi-gig speeds, no data caps, no hidden fees and transparent lifetime pricing. The company also emphasizes locally staffed customer support and a reliable, high-quality experience that sets it apart from legacy providers.

“We’re excited to bring our modern, 100% fiber network to homes the state capital,” said Carlos Rosas, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Southwest Region at Ezee Fiber. “Communities deserve more than basic connectivity. We are focused on delivering ultra-fast speeds, reliability and long-term infrastructure that supports how people live and work today.”

Ezee Fiber began expanding in New Mexico in 2024 and continues to scale rapidly. In addition to Santa Fe, the company is building fiber infrastructure in Albuquerque and surrounding communities, with service activating on a rolling basis as construction is completed.

Residents can expect construction activity to move efficiently through neighborhoods. Ezee Fiber will provide advance notice before work begins and will restore all areas in line with municipal requirements and industry best practices.

Residents can check availability and learn more at ezeefiber.com.

About Ezee Fiber

Ezee Fiber is a rapidly growing fiber internet company delivering premium multi-gig service to residential, business, and government customers over a 100% fiber-optic network—at exceptional value.

The company’s carrier-grade infrastructure spans Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, Oregon, Michigan and Washington, supported by local teams who live and work in the communities they serve. Ezee Fiber’s industry-leading speeds, award-winning customer service, and transparent pricing model set the company apart. Learn more at www.ezeefiber.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ezee-fiber-connects-first-customers-in-santa-fe-accelerates-new-mexico-expansion-302749195.html

SOURCE Ezee Fiber

Technology

CFA Institute calls for functional, proportionate AI oversight to safeguard UK retail investors and market integrity

Published

57 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

LONDON, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, has published its response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Review into the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on retail financial services (the “Mills Review”). CFA Institute welcomes the FCA’s technology-neutral approach, while urging greater operational clarity to ensure responsible AI deployment.

In its submission, CFA Institute supports anchoring AI oversight within the UK’s existing principles-based framework, including the Consumer Duty and the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), rather than introducing a standalone AI rulebook. However, it emphasizes that supervisory expectations must be clearer and more practical as AI systems move from assistive tools to advisory functions and, ultimately, autonomous agents.

CFA Institute argues that regulation should follow what AI systems do for consumers, not how they are labelled or constructed. AI-enabled retail interfaces may generate “advice-like” outcomes, such as personalized product steering or portfolio construction guidance, without formally crossing regulatory thresholds. A substance-over-form approach is therefore essential to prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure consistent consumer protection.

While the Consumer Duty provides a robust foundation, CFA Institute calls for AI-specific articulation of how its four outcomes apply where decision-making is increasingly delegated to automated systems. In particular, the response highlights a risk of automation bias, which may reduce effective consumer outcomes, especially among vulnerable customers.

Firms should be expected to test, monitor and evidence outcomes based on how consumers actually use AI systems in practice, not solely on how they are intended to function.

The submission also identifies a potential governance gap where firms report formal accountability for AI systems yet lack deep operational understanding of complex or third-party models. CFA Institute recommends clearer expectations around what “reasonable steps” and “meaningful oversight” mean under SM&CR and SYSC when AI is deployed in material retail use cases.

It further calls for:

A proportionate, tiered governance framework aligned to the assistive–advisory–autonomous spectrumClear allocation of end-to-end accountability for consumer outcomesReinforced oversight of third-party AI dependencies and operational resilience risks.

Although retail-focused, the response underscores broader market structure implications, including model concentration, correlated behavior, and third-party dependencies that could amplify volatility in stressed conditions. CFA Institute encourages close coordination between the FCA and the Bank of England, as well as continued alignment with IOSCO and the Financial Stability Board, to reduce fragmentation and support the UK’s global competitiveness.

Finally, CFA Institute stresses that responsible AI adoption depends on developing “hybrid” talent, professionals who combine technological fluency with fiduciary judgement and market expertise. Strengthening professional standards and supervisory capability should form part of the UK’s long-term AI competitiveness strategy.

Olivier Fines, CFA, Head of Advocacy and Capital Markets Policy at CFA Institute, said: “Artificial intelligence has the potential to expand access, improve efficiency and strengthen retail financial services, but only if trust and accountability remain firmly at the center.

“The UK’s principles-based framework is advantageous. The priority now is operational clarity: clear guidance on how the Consumer Duty and SM&CR apply when decision-making is increasingly delegated to AI systems.

“Regulation should follow function, not technological form. Where AI systems effectively shape or execute consumer decisions, protections must apply in substance, not just in label.

“We encourage the FCA to provide practical supervisory guidance by the end of 2026 and to continue close dialogue with industry and international standard-setters. With proportionate safeguards, meaningful oversight and investment in hybrid professional skills, the UK can play a leading role in responsible AI-enabled finance while preserving market integrity and public trust.”

About CFA Institute

As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standards for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across more than 160 markets, CFA Institute has 9 offices and 157 local societies. Find us at https://www.cfainstitute.org/ or follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe on YouTube.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cfa-institute-calls-for-functional-proportionate-ai-oversight-to-safeguard-uk-retail-investors-and-market-integrity-302748558.html