Based on The Way of Industry is Moving The Future of Security 2025

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Businesses and organizations have gained numerous valuable lessons as well. Despite having two decades to prepare for its implementation, many companies were caught off guard when GDPR came into force and have faced significant consequences this year.

When GDPR took effect, questions emerged about its real ability to hold organizations accountable. The regulation allows for fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover. The second half of the year has shown these concerns were misplaced, as major companies—including Uber just this week—have been penalized for data breaches involving customer information.

2026 Outlook: Regulation, Encryption and Emerging Technologies

What 2026 has demonstrated is that regulators now wield real power and are prepared to use it. The core purpose of GDPR was to return control of personal data to individuals while compelling organizations to treat data security with greater seriousness. Although awareness of data protection has risen, many approaches to achieving it remain outdated.

Effective protection requires securing data at its core through encryption, robust key management and strict access controls. Encryption renders data unreadable to unauthorized parties, providing strong defense against misuse while also helping organizations comply with legal requirements and avoid substantial fines.

Looking ahead from 2026, the next twelve months promise to be transformative for the security industry. As AI capabilities expand and quantum computing alongside crypto-agility gain traction, organizations must adapt quickly.

2026 Forecasts

1. Quantum Computing Increases Pressure on Crypto-Agility

2026 will accelerate the adoption of crypto-agility. While current encryption algorithms can be broken by more powerful quantum computers, crypto-agile systems will allow organizations to swap algorithms flexibly without major infrastructure changes. This approach enables companies to protect sensitive data against future quantum threats without repeated, disruptive system overhauls as computing power advances.

2. AI-Powered Cyberattacks Reach New Levels of Sophistication in 2026

Until recently, AI use in cyberattacks remained limited. However, growing computing power is rapidly expanding AI capabilities. In 2026, the first large-scale AI-orchestrated attack targeting an FTSE 100 company is expected.

A new generation of AI-driven malware will infiltrate networks, silently observe user behavior and system patterns, then execute highly coordinated assaults. The complexity of these attacks will surpass anything previously seen. Organizations will need to respond by deploying equally advanced defensive AI technologies.

3. Cloud Migration Security Specialists Emerge as a Key Role in 2026

2026 will see the rise of the Cloud Migration Security Specialist. Many organizations assume workloads become automatically secure when moved to the cloud. In reality, new vulnerabilities often appear during migration. These specialists will help companies navigate risks, ensuring the channel continues to deliver value through expert guidance.

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A Boardroom Priority That Must Deliver Results

As 2026 draws to a close, the coming year will remain critical for organizations still working to meet GDPR requirements. With growing attention on quantum computing and AI, companies must not overlook foundational security practices that remain essential.

Cybersecurity must be driven from the top down so that every level of the organization is aligned. While it is unlikely that 2027 will see zero breaches, it could mark the year when businesses begin to turn the tide against increasingly sophisticated threats.

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