What to Expect in 2026: How Enterprises Can Prepare for the Next Wave of AI, Data, and Cybersecurity

What to Expect in 2026: How Enterprises Can Prepare for the Next Wave of AI, Data, and Cybersecurity

As enterprises accelerate their modernization strategies, 2026 is set to be a pivotal year—one that demands stronger data foundations, more streamlined use of AI, and a fundamentally new approach to cybersecurity.

Rocket Software’s Michael Curry, President of Data Modernization, and Cynthia Overby, Director of Strategic Security Solutions, set the stage for 2026 by outlining how emerging AI, data, and security trends will influence enterprise strategy in the year ahead. Together, they map out a future where AI becomes more capable, data structures become more streamlined, and cybersecurity grows more complex and more essential than ever.

Unlocking New Value Through AI and Data in 2026

Michael Curry foresees that 2026 will mark the mainstream adoption of agentic AI, with enterprises focusing on how effectively tools can perform complex, multi-step tasks. He also believes data governance will become a board-level priority as companies connect operational and AI data, while simplified architectures and data sovereignty drive the next phase of hybrid cloud modernization.

1. Agentic AI moves into full-scale enterprise adoption
   Enterprises should anticipate agentic AI becoming a standard production capability. As accuracy and security improve, the differentiator will be how effectively AI systems perform complex, multi-step tasks. Organizations that identify high-value workflows now and strengthen their data foundations will lead.
    
2. Data governance becomes a board-level priority
   As companies connect operational data with analytics and AI, governance must become a strategic focus. Boards will demand clear frameworks that ensure secure, compliant, high-quality data pipelines. Early investment in governance models and integration capabilities will set the pace for safe AI scale.
    
3. Architectures simplify to meet AI-scale demands
   The pressure of AI workloads will push enterprises to consolidate platforms and eliminate redundant systems. Streamlined architectures will enhance performance, reduce cost, and improve resilience—making simplification a critical modernization priority.
    
4. Data sovereignty reshapes cloud strategy
   Growing global data sovereignty requirements will force organizations to rethink where and how data is stored and processed. A flexible hybrid cloud approach will become essential. Companies should start assessing data flows and updating architectures to stay compliant amid shifting regulations.

Building a More Resilient Enterprise in 2026

Cynthia anticipates a year defined by AI-powered cyberattacks, tightening global regulations, and the rise of integrated AI defenses. She expects CISOs to emerge as strategic business leaders, helping organizations shift cybersecurity from a defensive cost center to a driver of resilience and growth.

1. AI-powered threats accelerate and become harder to detect
   Organizations should prepare for a surge in sophisticated, AI-driven attacks targeting everything from IoT systems to enterprise AI models. Highly automated malware and hyper-personalized phishing will demand integrated security platforms and fully matured Zero Trust strategies.
    
2. Regulations tighten, demanding greater transparency
   New cybersecurity mandates, such as Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) requirements, secure-by-design principles, and fast incident reporting, will reshape how enterprises build and maintain technology. The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act will set a benchmark for global expectations around resilience and ransomware defense.
    
3. AI becomes essential to enterprise defense
   With attackers using AI to automate reconnaissance and exploit vulnerabilities, enterprises must adopt AI as a defensive necessity. Expect growing investment in behavioral biometrics, conditional access, automated threat detection, and response plans aligned with AI-speed attacks.
    
4. Threat complexity and regulation converge
   The collision of more advanced AI-driven threats and increasingly strict regulations will create a new level of operational pressure, especially in finance. Continuous risk assessment and closer coordination across security, legal, and compliance teams will be essential.
    
5. CISOs step into a strategic leadership role
   CISOs will become central to enterprise strategy, playing a key role in safeguarding revenue, reputation, and long-term resilience. Companies that elevate the CISO role and integrate security into planning cycles will be better positioned to grow safely.
    
6. Cyber resilience becomes a C-suite mandate
   Cybersecurity will move beyond the IT department and become a shared business responsibility. Organizations will need proactive, risk-based frameworks that strengthen identity management, protect sensitive data, and support continuous operations.

The Path Forward for Enterprise Resilience

The year ahead will challenge enterprises to modernize faster, govern data more effectively and strengthen security resilience. Agentic AI will reshape workflows, simplified data architectures will enable scale, and cybersecurity will become inseparable from business strategy. Organizations that invest early in governance, identity, architecture modernization, and AI-ready security will be best positioned to innovate and scale with confidence and turn 2026’s complexity into a competitive advantage.

Predictions curtesy of Michael Curry and Cynthia Overby.