2026 promises a new era of innovation, powered by artificial intelligence. Yet, as ISACA's latest research reveals, this technological leap forward brings a parallel surge in sophisticated cyber threats. Security professionals will need to navigate this complex landscape.

ISACA’s 2026 Tech Trends and Priorities Global Pulse Poll, which surveyed more than 2,963 professionals in digital trust fields such as cybersecurity, IT audit, governance, risk and compliance, show that the security community is both excited and anxious for 2026 amid an increasingly perilous cyber risk landscape: while AI and generative technologies promise transformation, they also introduce new risks and demand robust governance. The struggle to keep pace with change and secure digital trust is compounded by resource constraints and a global shortage of skilled professionals.

Read on for five things to expect and five ways to prepare.

Five Things to Expect in 2026:

1. AI dominates the agenda: Artificial intelligence, including machine learning and generative AI, are the top technology priorities for 2026, with predictive analytics, automation and content/code generation leading the ways it is being used. The majority of respondents (62%) identified AI and machine learning as top technology priorities, reflective of AI’s growing relevance both as a tool for practitioners to work more efficiently and as a layer of added complexity to contend with on the threat landscape.
2. Cybersecurity risks intensify: AI-driven social engineering (63%), ransomware/extortion attacks (54%) and insider threats (35%) are the most significant cyber threats organizations expect to face, with AI-driven social engineering’s prominence reinforcing the overlap between AI’s rise and the evolving threat landscape. AI is making these attacks more effective by enabling hyper-personalized phishing campaigns, automating ransomware deployment, and identifying vulnerable insiders with greater accuracy.
3. Talent shortages threaten progress: Nearly half of organizations expect to hire for digital trust roles, but anticipate difficulty finding qualified candidates, particularly in audit, risk, and cybersecurity, potentially leaving critical security gaps. Meanwhile, 39% say they will be hiring for more digital trust roles in 2026 than they did in 2025. This shows great opportunity exists for aspiring professionals in these fields.
4. Workforce upskilling is essential: Upskilling in data security and emerging tech risk management is a top improvement area, with organizations seeking more training, awareness, and role-specific certifications. As organizations increasingly make artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies a focal point in their business models and operations, a willingness to gain additional expertise in these areas will loom large for the tech workforce. Examples of layering AI knowledge into existing skill sets include the new ISACA Advanced in AI Audit™ (AAIA™) and ISACA Advanced in AI Security Management™ (AAISM™) credentials.
5. Cloud security and migration remain central: Respondents express concern about potential data compromises, adherence to cloud regulatory frameworks and the persistent shortage of qualified cloud security talent, as 47% of respondents say cloud migration and security are “very important” focus areas, highlighting the continued shift to cloud and associated risks.

The struggle to keep pace with change and secure digital trust is compounded by resource constraints and a global shortage of skilled professionals.

Given these and other trends identified in the ISACA survey, here are five areas security professionals and other digital trust practitioners should be mindful of in 2026:

1. Establish robust AI governance and risk frameworks that address data privacy, algorithmic bias, and security vulnerabilities inherent in generative AI applications. Prioritize explainability and transparency in AI deployments.
2. Accelerate workforce upskilling in high-impact areas such as AI information security management and cloud security, and invest in continuous learning, certifications and internal mobility.
3. Modernize legacy systems and infrastructure — such as outdated operating systems, unpatched applications, and vulnerable network protocols — to reduce attack surfaces and improve agility. This is especially critical in the context of preparedness for the impending era of quantum computing.
4. Strengthen cyber resilience and business continuity planning by developing and regularly testing incident response plans, ransomware recovery strategies and cross-functional crisis management protocols.
5. Understand the key connection points between evolving compliance requirements and your security operations. Take the first step toward securing your future by engaging with expert communities such as ISACA and investing in compliance tools and frameworks. Conduct an immediate assessment of your organization's AI risk profile and begin planning for workforce upskilling to stay ahead of the curve.