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INDEX.PHP: Cybersecurity trends: Get your company ready for 2026

Attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, regulatory requirements are becoming stricter, and cybersecurity costs are rising rapidly. According to Cybersecurity Ventures‘ forecasts, global spending on cybersecurity solutions and services will exceed $520 billion per year by 2026, twice the 2021 level.

The modern attack surface is no longer limited to the network or application. Now the focus is on user accounts and data integrity. Artificial intelligence makes it harder to control; it can spoof real-world communications, bypass basic verification systems, and create new risks in real time.

Additionally, cloud, automation, IoT, and quantum computing are increasing potential attack vectors while simultaneously shaping new security standards. NIS2 and DORA explicitly require businesses to ensure robust data and systems protection to meet modern requirements.

So, what should companies make their baseline standard to achieve not only security but also a foundation for digital innovation?

Let’s take a look at seven key trends in cybersecurity for 2026.

Trend 1. AI in attacks and defense

In 2026, AI will become both an offensive and defensive tool. Attacks using AI agents will accelerate and become more personalized, from AI-generated phishing to sophisticated exploits that learn and adapt in real time. For example, an attacker could create a hyper-personalized threat targeting a specific individual, using data from social media and previous leaks, and automatically selecting the amount of the demand or the blackmail method.

In the defenders’ hands, AI turns the SOC (Security Operations Center) into the first line of defense. Autonomous agents sort alerts, block threats in seconds, and free up people for strategic tasks and more profound analysis. As a result, security teams gain the ability to manage an AI-powered “new workforce” that accelerates incident response, supports DevSecOps, and automates complex business processes.

While this all sounds promising, unfortunately, AI also introduces new risks. Misconfiguration of autonomous agents can give them privileged access to critical APIs, data, and systems. This makes agents attractive targets for attackers and requires strict controls over their behavior and security.

The answer to these challenges is automation and AI control. Businesses are preparing to implement systems that allow:

Practical business solutions are already available. For example, from the BAKOTECH portfolio, you can choose solutions of:

Trend 2. Transition from perimeter security to a data-centric approach

Most incidents today are not about breaching the network perimeter but about compromising data. In 2026, companies will start to focus on protecting content and user actions, rather than just building walls around IT infrastructure.

In general, cybersecurity has long ceased to be limited to servers, network equipment, or workstations. It also covers IoT, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), automotive security, aviation, and other non-IT platforms. Accordingly, security strategy ceases to be a local IT task and becomes a strategic element of the business. This means that leaders must involve the CISO as a business partner and integrate cybersecurity into all processes, from legal and ethical standards to operational activities.

The new approach is based on data and behavior: monitoring of user actions, access control, information classification, “threat blocked” analytics, and “cyber resilience” metrics allow assessing the company’s readiness to respond to incidents, speed of recovery, and adaptability to new threats. The key goal will be not to avoid all attacks but to manage risk and ensure business resilience.

Tools like Fortra Data Protection Suite help implement this approach. The Data Protection Suite integrates DLP, DRM, data classification, and CASB to control and protect critical information.

Trend 3. Strengthening DevSecOps and Secure Coding

Companies have faced a completely unexpected problem: rapid development cycles and the massive use of AI for code generation create new vulnerability vectors. And now the classic approach, where security is checked at the end of the process, is no longer enough.

In 2026, companies will focus on integrating security directly into the development lifecycle — the so-called shift-left security approach.

Dev teams are learning to anticipate and prevent threats at the design and coding stages. Metrics like “threat blocked” and “cyber resilience” help assess the effectiveness of measures, speed of recovery, and adaptability to incidents. Security practices are integrated into the SDLC, and security becomes a strategic element of the business.

Therefore, in the upcoming year, developer training and education will continue to gain momentum. They are becoming the first line of defense, capable of detecting and fixing vulnerabilities before the code goes into production. The focus remains on people: developers are becoming the first line of defense, and a culture of security and the exchange of intelligence between businesses and service providers are becoming an integral part of the defense strategy.

To improve the security of development, businesses can use solutions to train secure coding and integrate security into the SDLC. For example, the Secure Code Warrior platform allows Dev and AppSec teams to quickly respond to new attack vectors and mitigate risks during the development phase.

Trend 4. Cloud environments: increasing complexity and attacks

Some things should be stable: the cloud remains with us in the new year.

The widespread use of multi-cloud and edge environments creates new cybersecurity challenges. Data is constantly moving among endpoints, SaaS applications, and on-premises systems. Every movement can be a potential breach. Misconfigurations, shadow IT, and uncontrolled SaaS deployments leave companies vulnerable.

In 2026, businesses will invest heavily in cloud-native security frameworks, as they provide unified visibility and control across hybrid environments. Technologies like SASE and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) help detect configuration errors and monitor security in real time. Edge computing offers advantages in data processing speed but also increases the complexity of control and security.

Access control and continuous monitoring remain crucial. Solutions such as Fortra CASB and 42Gears can help accomplish this task. Fortra provides secure access to SaaS resources, protects data, and controls usage policies, while 42Gears provides endpoint control and access to corporate resources in the cloud, on local systems, and on various devices.

Trend 5. Expanding attack surface through endpoints and mobile devices

The rise of remote and hybrid work, along with the growth of the IoT ecosystem and edge environments, has significantly expanded the attack surface. Employees are connecting from different networks, devices, and locations, which only serves the purpose of cybercriminals. The latter are targeting remote sessions through phishing, credential theft, and AI impersonation.

Secure remote access remains critical in 2026. Organizations are moving from legacy VPNs to modern zero-trust solutions that deliver speed and security at the same time, using multi-factor authentication, encryption, and granular access policies. Central management provides IT teams with visibility into connections, enabling them to detect anomalies and ensure policy compliance.

Another challenge is that the number of devices, from IoT to edge components, is constantly growing. Vulnerable elements with low security or difficult firmware updates become entry points for attacks, including DDoS, botnets, and supply chain intrusions. Therefore, managing the device lifecycle — from configuration to retirement — is becoming a priority.

Solutions like 42Gears Sure MDM (UEM) can help fill this need. It is a platform for centralized endpoint management, access control, and policy enforcement that allows organizations to strengthen security in distributed and mobile environments.

Zero-trust at the device level, edge segmentation, and continuous monitoring of all access points are becoming essential to reduce risk and maintain security in a hybrid, multi-cloud world.

Trend 6. Identity-first security

Stability can also be unpleasant: accounts remain a leading attack vector.

MFA is no longer a guarantee of security, as attackers are increasingly bypassing it. Deepfakes, synthetic media, and AI-generated personalities are making high-quality fakes of commands, voices, and videos. In 2026, even executives may find themselves in a situation where it is impossible to distinguish a real command from its perfect AI copy.

The authenticity crisis is spreading to machines, too. The number of agents and AI systems operating autonomously exceeds the number of people in a company by tens of times. One compromised agent or fake identity can trigger a cascade of automated actions that threaten the business.

The solution is an identity-first approach. Security starts with trust in accounts, constant monitoring, and behavioral analytics. Essential elements of this approach include:

For example, the Fortra DRM + DLP (Digital Guardian) solution can provide control over data actions even after access has been compromised. It also limits information leakage and unauthorized distribution.

So, we can confidently say that in 2026, identity-first security will become a key foundation of trust in the company, protecting people, machines, and autonomous agents.

Trend 7. Strengthening regulatory requirements

Let’s repeat: in 2026, cybersecurity ceases to be just an IT task and becomes a priority for governance and compliance.

Regulations such as NIS2, DORA, and local standards will require faster incident reporting, enhanced data protection, and clear accountability at the management level.

Therefore, we conclude that organizations must not only build secure systems but also maintain documented, auditable processes. This is important for both regulatory compliance and cyber insurance: insurance companies require evidence of multi-factor authentication, access control, and incident response plans. Transparent monitoring and audit trails make it easier to maintain customer trust and reduce the risk of financial sanctions.

Certain tools help companies meet these requirements, for example:

In the new year, successful companies will build a transparent security culture in which compliance and risk management become part of daily operations.

Recommendations for 2026

Finally, we have prepared a small checklist of what you can do right now.

To prepare your business for new cyber threats and regulatory requirements, you should focus on specific actions:

  1. Data audit. Assess what data is critical, where it is stored, and how it is used.
  2. Information classification. Label and segment data by sensitivity level for effective protection.
  3. Strengthening data protection. Implement DLP, DRM, and CASB for access control and leak prevention.
  4. DevSecOps integration and secure coding. Place security in the early stages of development; train Dev and AppSec teams.
  5. Endpoint management. Centralized management, access control, and policy compliance through UEM platforms.
  6. Identity-first security. Continuous authentication, behavioral analytics, and action monitoring even after access is compromised.
  7. Reporting and evidence of compliance processes. Audit trails, logs, and documents that confirm security and compliance with regulatory requirements.

It’s impossible to predict when an incident will occur, but it is possible to get ready for it. By taking the steps above into account, you can turn cybersecurity into a source of stability for your business, making it controlled, transparent, and ready for any challenge in 2026.