Gartner® Report | Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2026

Navigating AI Acceleration, Quantum Risk, and Regulatory Volatility

Cybersecurity leaders are entering a defining period. Rapid AI adoption — including generative and agentic AI — is reshaping attack surfaces and operational norms, while post-quantum risk is moving from theoretical concern to actionable planning. At the same time, global regulatory volatility is raising accountability and increasing pressure on security leaders to demonstrate resilience.

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What you’ll learn:

  • How AI adoption is disrupting cybersecurity operations, governance, and risk assumptions 
  • Why post-quantum cryptography is shifting from long-term concern to near-term action 
  • How regulatory volatility is driving a renewed focus on cyber resilience and governance 

Why read this report?

AI and quantum technologies are advancing faster than traditional security models can adapt. At the same time, evolving global regulations are increasing scrutiny, accountability, and reporting requirements for security leaders. We believe this Gartner® report helps CISOs and CIOs understand how these forces intersect — enabling them to prioritize investments, adapt governance models, and build resilience without slowing innovation. 

© Gartner, Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2026, Alex Michaels, Wil Candrick, Chiara Girardi, Arthur Sivanathan, Jeremy D'Hoinne, Pete Shoard, Mark Horvath, Nathan Harris, 13 January 2026

Gartner is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

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