The IT Channel in 2026: technology & market trends for the year ahead

The topic of AI is highly debated and contentious. Is there a bubble? Is it going to be a force multiplier for productivity or will it deliver a whole raft of compliance and cybersecurity nightmares? By drawing parallels with the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, we can venture some predictions.

Vendors will continue to integrate AI into their solutions, generative AI components will reduce administrative complexity, ML components will improve detection rates, and agentic AI components will reduce response times. Companies will want to deliver the same benefits to their customers, but integrating AI securely into customer facing operations and workflows is a complex undertaking and some of the world’s largest vendors have faced considerable challenges in their AI development.

The market for “securing AI” is still in its infancy and solutions haven’t yet reached maturity. This is an opportunity for channel to deliver strategic insights, compliance guidance, and risk management advice to unlock AI’s full potential whilst keeping businesses safe.

Dean Watson, Lead Solutions Expert for Secure Networking, Infinigate UK & Ireland

In 2026, digital sovereignty will be a strategic asset. Companies that control and license their content will not only boost their resilience but also safeguard their revenue, reputation, and long-term position in an increasingly AI-driven ecosystem.

The unfiltered access to third party content by AI platforms shifts traffic and revenue away from the original sites. Users receive information directly via chatbots or AI search systems, while companies lose valuable insights on click behaviour, conversion rates, and purchasing interests.

As AI lowers barriers to entry and automation enabling attacks to be undertaken at scale, cybercriminals will become more successful. Companies that do not implement proper control mechanisms risk having their content and data processed by external AI models, without any oversight or control over how that information is used, contextualised, or monetised. Companies can respond strategically through layered protections, licensing models, and technical safeguards.

Dean Watson, Lead Solutions Expert for Secure Networking, Infinigate UK & Ireland

In 2026, cybersecurity will be a key driver of operational efficiency and strategic resilience. Organisations that allocate their budget wisely will turn security costs into measurable value.

The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow at 14.40% CAGR from 2025 to 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. In 2026, cybersecurity budgets are set to fundamentally change driven by regulatory pressure, technological advances, and the evolving threat landscape. Companies will move away from rigid contracts and expensive individual tools toward flexible, AI-supported solutions that automate routine tasks and reduce the burden on security teams. At the same time, security spending remains stable at 10-15% of overall IT budgets, making intelligent allocation critical.

Compliance requirements – such as GDPR, NIS2, and DORA – are shaping cybersecurity strategies at board level, shifting the focus from reactive measures to risk-based investments. When security measures are strategically integrated, they enhance protection while improving business efficiency.

Simon King, Head of Information Security, Infinigate Group

The biggest challenge for IT security teams is no longer dealing with individual attacks, but managing complex, heterogeneous system landscapes. In 2026, reducing complexity will be the top priority: one provider, one platform, one console – the new standard for future-proof cybersecurity.

2026 holds the promise to be the year when companies accelerate the transition from fragmented security tools to integrated platform solutions, with an anticipated substantial increase in SASE/platformisation investment between 2026 and 2030. The era of isolated individual systems with separate consoles, redundant licences, and inconsistent policies is over. Organisations are now turning to cloud-based security platforms that consolidate all security and network functions into a single, centrally managed service.

Integrated platforms deliver context-related threat information in a central data pool, drastically reducing response times and closing security gaps before attackers can exploit them.

Dean Watson, Lead Solutions Expert for Secure Networking, Infinigate UK & Ireland

The convergence of IT and OT security is becoming a key prerequisite for operational resilience and competitiveness. Companies that implement security measures holistically not only minimise risk and increase efficiency but also secure a strategic competitive advantage. For channel partners, early investment in OT security through consulting, implementation, and certification unlocks new revenue potential and positions them as indispensable partners in the industrial security environment.

In 2026, Operational Technology (OT) security is likely to become indispensable as regulations such as NIS2, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the machinery regulation establish mandatory security standards for industrial plants and operational systems. While IT security is already well established, OT security remains in its infancy, presenting a clear growth opportunity for channel partners. Resellers who build up in-depth expertise at an early stage can help companies conduct risk assessments, establish segmented security architectures, and meet regulatory requirements, positioning themselves as strategic partners.

Patrick Scholl, Director of OT Centre of Excellence (OT CoE), Infinigate Deutschland

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is becoming a key figure in enterprise-wide cyber resilience. CISOs who master the balance between strategic planning, operational implementation and technological innovation will manage to position cybersecurity not as a mere protective measure, but as a growth driver and competitive advantage for the entire company.

In 2026, the role of CISOs will be widely expected to be a strategic one. CISOs are increasingly acting as bridge-builders between technical security, regulatory compliance, and broader corporate strategy. In light of new EU regulations – such as NIS2, DORA, and the EU AI Act – CISOs take central responsibility for risk management, security culture, incident response leadership and business continuity.

Simon King, Head of Information Security, Infinigate Group

In 2026, companies will move towards fundamentally revamping their security awareness programmes. Instead of rigid classroom training and repetitive exercises, an adaptive, data-driven approach will prevail.  Adaptive systems will continuously assess each employee’s security competence and deliver tailored training where knowledge gaps are identified.

Engaging simulations and gamified elements will be an increasing part of security training, informed by the emergence of AI behaviour training. Employees will actively participate in realistic scenarios, from simulated phishing attacks to virtual incident response exercises, rather than being overloaded with theoretical knowledge. Continuous feedback systems will nudge users toward safer habits, such as avoiding risky clicks or using secure channels for sensitive data.

Simon King, Head of Information Security, Infinigate Group

In 2026, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) will need to differentiate themselves to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.  The managed services market is expected to see double-digit growth over the next 5 years, with MSPs increasingly specialising to become MSSPs.

To stand out, MSSPs will focus on high-value capabilities such as Identity and Access Management (IAM), a cornerstone of the Zero Trust approach. This offering will be critical as AI-aided attacks increasingly exploit gaps in identity security. Likewise, Managed Detection and Response (MDR/XDR) services will be a defining differentiator, as AI-driven reconnaissance provides attackers the tools to strike broadly, making outsourced detection and response essential.

Denis Ferrand-Ajchenbaum, Chief Growth Officer, Infinigate Group

By 2026, sustainability will be a non-negotiable prerequisite for partnerships in the IT market. Sustainability has evolved from being a “nice to have” to becoming an essential foundation of business strategy and operations.

The IT channel – positioned at the intersection of vendors, resellers, and MSPs relations – has an opportunity to lead. By harmonising sustainability standards and promoting best practice, the channel can drive momentum across the market. Structured programmes, shared resources and collaborative initiatives will be key to scaling mature partners and helping smaller channel partners meet sustainability goals without overextending their capabilities. Those who act now will be best positioned to meet rising expectations and shape the future of the industry.

Tristam Broady, Group Sustainability Manager, Infinigate Group