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Gartner warns that rapid AI adoption, regulatory changes, and emerging quantum risks are compelling organisations to overhaul their cyber defence strategies, shifting focus from reactive to resilience-focused approaches.
Cybersecurity in 2026 is being reshaped by a mix of faster AI adoption, tougher regulation and a broader threat environment that is forcing companies to rethink how they protect digital systems, according to Gartner. The consultancy said at its Security & Risk Management Summit in Sydney that the sector has reached a turning point, where security can no longer be treated as a narrow effort to block attacks, but must instead centre on resilience, governance and systems that can adapt in real time.
One of the biggest shifts is the spread of agentic AI, which Gartner says is creating fresh security exposure as autonomous tools begin making decisions and taking actions with limited human oversight. The report warns that no-code and low-code platforms are helping unsanctioned AI use spread faster inside organisations, making it harder for security teams to separate approved deployments from shadow systems. That, in turn, raises the risk of unsafe code, compliance failures and poor oversight of machine-led workflows.
Gartner also places heavy emphasis on regulatory volatility, arguing that cyber risk has become a board-level issue as governments tighten expectations around breaches, disclosure and accountability. The consultancy says companies will need closer coordination between legal, business and technology teams if they are to align security strategy with shifting rules across markets. In its view, cyber resilience now has to be built into business operations rather than bolted on afterwards.
Another major concern is quantum computing, which Gartner says could undermine current encryption methods within this decade. The firm is urging organisations to start planning for post-quantum cryptography now, including inventorying cryptographic assets, mapping vendor roadmaps and prioritising long-lived data for migration. It argues that cryptographic agility will be essential if companies are to avoid future exposure as quantum capabilities mature.
Identity and access management is also being rewritten by the rise of AI agents. Gartner says systems built mainly for human users are no longer sufficient, because machine identities now need equivalent control and monitoring. At the same time, the consultancy says security operations centres are being transformed by AI tools that can speed up detection and response, even as they create staffing and accountability challenges. It adds that traditional awareness programmes are losing effectiveness as employees increasingly use personal AI tools, often with little regard for sensitive data handling.
The broader message from Gartner is that security teams must move away from reactive defence and towards intelligence-driven resilience. That means balancing innovation with control, strengthening oversight of AI, preparing for post-quantum risk and building training, governance and access controls that can evolve as quickly as the threat landscape.
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Source: Fuse Wire Services
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