In the new year, new and more complex challenges for cybersecurity leaders begin on the technology side. AI tools are revolutionizing the way security operations teams work, but unfortunately they are also enabling cyber attackers to amplify their attacks.
Meanwhile, the unprecedented wave of debilitating and targeted cyberattacks that hit the manufacturing sector over the past year and disrupted operations at some of the world’s largest companies is a stark wake-up call for critical infrastructure and other organizations to prioritize operational resiliency.
At the same time, cyber insurance coverage, the basis of financial protection in the face of cyber attacks, has reached a tipping point. Insurers are now scrutinizing policyholders’ security postures more closely, putting pressure on CISOs and executives to invest more in defensive tools and, in some cases, potentially face higher premiums.
All eyes will be on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the U.S. federal agency tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and leading cybersecurity policy, but the agency is reeling from a year of massive layoffs and weakening partnerships with private companies. CISA’s adaptability and leadership are critical to protecting national security and critical infrastructure.
But this is only a small part of 2026. Here, we take a closer look at these and other important cyber trends and issues to watch this year.
