As the calendar turns to 2026, experts indicate that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to continue its significant transformation of both physical and cyber security landscapes. The anticipated shifts span from enhanced surveillance capabilities to increasingly sophisticated automated cyber threats, signaling a year of accelerated evolution in risk management and security protocols.
Leading security professionals have outlined key trends expected to shape organisational security strategies throughout 2026. These predictions highlight the growing importance of foundational technologies, the evolving nature of cyber threats, and the increasing integration of security considerations into core business operations and board-level decision-making.
Key Security Trends to Watch in 2026
Building the Foundations for AI with VSaaS
The effectiveness of AI-powered video analytics is intrinsically linked to the underlying infrastructure. Traditionally, video management systems (VMS) were deployed on-premises, incurring substantial initial costs, ongoing maintenance, and complex upgrade processes.
However, this paradigm is rapidly shifting. Cloud-based VMS, commonly referred to as VSaaS (video-surveillance-as-a-service), is emerging as the preferred solution, particularly for organisations managing multiple sites. These platforms facilitate unified video management across diverse camera brands from any location.
When integrated with generative AI, VSaaS enhances situational awareness, expedites response times, and streamlines investigative procedures. AI analytics serve as a constant, vigilant complement to human monitoring, identifying unusual behaviour and alerting teams to potential incidents before they escalate.
Furthermore, cloud-first video systems reduce the reliance on on-site hardware, contributing to lower energy consumption and a reduced carbon footprint, aligning with the sustainability goals of many organisations.
LiDAR’s Value Proposition
The global market for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology within the security sector is projected for substantial growth. In 2026, LiDAR is anticipated to see increased deployment across critical infrastructure, aviation, rail networks, data centres, correctional facilities, and logistics operations.
Streamlining Video Evidence Sharing
The anticipated changes in 2026 are expected to drive further demand for improved evidence-sharing mechanisms. Retail sectors, facing significant annual crime prevention costs, are investing heavily in solutions that simplify evidence dissemination.
VSaaS models are simplifying this process for both large retail chains and smaller businesses, eliminating the need for physical media like USB drives or discs. Many contemporary systems also offer integration with body-worn video devices, now a common tool for retail security personnel globally.
AI’s Role in Amplifying Zero-Day Vulnerabilities
Looking ahead to 2026, experts predict that artificial intelligence will significantly accelerate the discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities. As AI streamlines software development, it simultaneously becomes a potent tool for identifying coding flaws.
Traditional vulnerability detection methods often involve resource-intensive, targeted analysis. In contrast, automated fuzzing techniques, where systems systematically test software until a failure occurs, are being revolutionized by generative AI. This advancement improves testing methodologies and enables large-scale analysis of crash data.
The increasing accessibility and speed with which advanced attackers can find and exploit vulnerabilities underscore the necessity for organisations to employ AI equally effectively. This includes proactive identification, remediation, and hunting for zero-days.
Supplier Risk as a Board-Level Imperative
By 2026, the management of supplier cyber risk is expected to be elevated to the same level of scrutiny as financial risk. Chief Executive Officers are anticipated to monitor their organisations’ exposure through suppliers with the same diligence applied to cash flow analysis.
Security teams are likely to move beyond traditional annual audits and questionnaires. The expectation will be for continuous validation of security performance, real-time alerts, and daily key performance indicators (KPIs) reported to the board.
Given the widespread integration of AI into digital products, organisations will also demand transparency regarding their partners’ AI models, data sources, and interdependencies. Supply chain security will transition from an infrequent check to a daily operational metric.
Addressing Shadow AI and the AI Bill of Materials
The issue of uncontrolled “shadow AI” is predicted to reach a critical point by 2026, compelling organisations to systematically map and govern all AI models in use across their operations.
The “AI Bill of Materials” is expected to emerge as a new industry standard. This document will detail the AI models being utilised, the underlying data dependencies, and their respective security, explainability, and compliance statuses.
While fully autonomous systems are likely to remain uncommon, most organisations will balance agentic AI with human oversight. Companies that effectively link AI governance to revenue protection and customer trust will likely see a competitive advantage.
Cybersecurity as a Performance Metric
In 2026, cyber risk is expected to be quantified in financial terms. Boards will seek clear assessments of current exposure and real-time comparisons of resilience against industry peers.
Simple red-amber-green status indicators are likely to be replaced by security ratings, continuous monitoring, and financial impact analyses. Executive accountability will increase, with the incentives of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and CEOs to be tied to measurable security outcomes, treating cyber resilience as a core business performance indicator.
The Emergence of a New Generation of Cyber Leaders
The growing pressures on CISOs, including rising personal liability, budget constraints, and increasing regulatory demands, are expected to lead to shifts in leadership roles by 2026. Many experienced CISOs may transition to advisory, virtual CISO (vCISO), or vendor-focused positions.
Field CISOs employed by technology providers are predicted to gain influence, assisting clients in translating security strategy into tangible business value. The nature of cyber leadership is likely to expand beyond traditional internal departmental structures to encompass cross-organisational collaboration.
Data Sprawl as a Primary Risk
A significant cyber threat in 2026 may stem not from malicious software, but from the unchecked proliferation of data. Sensitive information is increasingly distributed across APIs, SaaS platforms, and partner ecosystems, often without clear ownership or governance.
The next generation of cybersecurity professionals is focusing on data-centric security models to address this. Their emphasis on visibility and control could offer organisations a path to regaining oversight in an increasingly dispersed digital environment.
Regulation, Insurance, and Visibility Reshaping Trust
By 2026, cyber resilience mandates are expected to become legally enforceable, particularly for critical infrastructure and supply chains. Compliance will evolve to require continuous, quantifiable security performance rather than mere adherence to standards.
The cyber insurance market will also undergo transformation. Policies may shift from solely providing financial payouts to offering integrated services encompassing monitoring, response, and prevention. The risks associated with AI are likely to lead to new policy language and more stringent underwriting criteria.
Furthermore, enhanced visibility is expected to become a competitive differentiator. Organisations capable of demonstrating measurable security practices, rather than just asserting them, will likely garner greater trust from customers, partners, and regulatory bodies. The key challenges still lie in achieving this comprehensive visibility and implementing robust AI governance frameworks.