The Rise in Unstructured Data and AI Security Risks
Released: 03/30/2026
As organizations generate increasing volumes of files, documents, communications, and logs across the cloud, they're also pushing traditional security models beyond their limits. This survey report, commissioned by Thales, explores how unstructured data defines both the operational value and growing risk of modern enterprises.
Despite high confidence in security posture, many organizations lack full visibility into where unstructured data resides, leaving large portions of sensitive data unprotected. The research highlights how fragmented tools, manual processes, and shared ownership limit scalability and consistent control. At the same time, AI is emerging as both a powerful enabler and a significant risk. It introduces new attack vectors while also improving detection, classification, and automation.
Ultimately, the report emphasizes that foundational capabilities such as visibility, governance, classification, and scalable operations are essential for unstructured data protection.
Key Takeaways:
- Unstructured data accounts for the majority of nearly one-third (29%) of organizations' annual data growth.
- Few (35%) organizations report having full data visibility. The majority (56%) indicate that visibility is only partial.
- Data classification practices remain inconsistent across organizations. Several (10%) organizations report having no sensitivity labeling for unstructured data at all.
- Most (75%) organizations describe themselves as moderately or highly confident in their ability to secure data. However, most (68%) organizations also report a significant portion of their unstructured data remains unprotected.
- Over one-third (36%) of organizations report using between 5–10 tools to manage unstructured data. Almost as many (32%) organizations use 11 or more tools.
- Many (36%) organizations cite lack of automation as a challenge when scaling their data security.
- Advanced, AI-driven threats were the most-identified (47%) top security risk to unstructured data in 2026.
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Best For:
- CISOs
- Security Architects and Engineers
- Data Security and Privacy Professionals
- IT Risk and Compliance Leaders
About the Sponsor
Thales is a global leader in cybersecurity, helping the most trusted companies and organizations around the world protect critical applications, sensitive data, and identities anywhere at scale. Through our innovative services and integrated platforms, Thales helps customers achieve better visibility of risks, defend against cyber threats, close compliance gaps, and deliver trusted digital experiences for billions of consumers every day. Thales Cyber Security Products is part of Thales Group.
