Cyber Security Tribe's

Annual State of the Industry Report 2026

Cyber Security Tribe’s 2026 Annual State of the Industry Report provides a view of how cybersecurity leaders are responding to changes across the industry, including increased regulatory pressure and accelerating AI adoption.

Based on insights from 455 cybersecurity practitioners, surveyed between December 2025 through January 2026, this report reflects the priorities shaping organizations' security programs.

The responses are primarily VP/Director and C-level roles, offering practical insight into how experienced leaders are setting direction, allocating budget, and managing risk. The report is structured around three core pillars: People, Process, and Technology.

In addition to the survey results, we invited leading cybersecurity experts to provide their perspectives through detailed responses on various covered topics. This report serves as a valuable benchmarking tool for assessing your cybersecurity priorities and needs for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.

Download the report to discover:
 
Benchmark Your Cybersecurity Strategy: Compare your organization’s cybersecurity priorities against industry trends and expert insights to ensure you're on the right path for 2026 and beyond.
Benchmark Your Cybersecurity Strategy: Compare your organization’s cybersecurity priorities against industry trends and expert insights to ensure you're on the right path for 2026 and beyond.
Insights from 450+ Cybersecurity Professionals: Gain a data-driven perspective on critical topics such as hiring trends, investment priorities, AI governance, and security frameworks.
Insights from 450+ Cybersecurity Professionals: Gain a data-driven perspective on critical topics such as hiring trends, investment priorities, AI governance, and security frameworks.
Expert Analysis on Emerging Threats and Technologies: Learn from leading cybersecurity experts about enterprise browsers, agentic AI, and quantum computing.
Expert Analysis on Emerging Threats and Technologies: Learn from leading cybersecurity experts about enterprise browsers, agentic AI, and quantum computing.
2026 Cyber Security Tribe Annual Report

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Report Contributors

Andrew Akers Cyber Security Tribe

Andrew Akers

Senior Product Manager, Island

Herman Brown 100 x 100 - Cyber Security Tribe

Herman Brown

CIO, San Francisco District Attorney’s Office

Andy Stewart cyber security tribe

Andy Stewart

Region Cybersecurity Officer, Northwest, CommonSpirit Health

Jason Elrod

Jason Elrod

CISO, MultiCare Health System

Rizwan Jan 100 x 100 Cyber Security Tribe (1)

Rizwan Jan

CIO, CNA

Kapil Bareja 100 x 100 Cyber Security Tribe

Kapil Bareja

Digital And Cyber Risk Governance Leader

Dr. Vivian Lyon 100x100 Cyber Security Tribe

Dr. Vivian Lyon

CISO, Plaza Dynamics

Doug Mayer N Cyber Security Tribe

Doug Mayer

Vice President, CISO, WCG

Andrew Wilder Cyber Security Tribe

Andrew Wilder

Retained CSO, Community Veterinary Partners

Paul Carpenito Cyber Security Tribe 300x300

Paul Carpenito

CISO, ION

Hardik Mehta Cyber Security Tribe

Hardik Mehta

Head of Global Risk and Regulatory Compliance, JPMorgan Chase

Jason Barnes Cyber Security Tribe

Jason Barnes

Senior Director of Security Operations, Charter Communications

Latesh Nair Cyber Security Tribe-1

Latesh Nair

Global Product Head (Security & Data), Healthfirst

Amar Badri Cyber Security Tribe AB

Amar Badri

Vice President, Mastercard

Randall Frietzsche - Cyber Security Tribe

Randall Frietzsche

CISO, Denver Health

Report Summary

The Cyber Security Tribe's 2026 Annual State of the Industry Report offers a thorough examination of how cybesecurity leaders are responding to changes across the industry, drawing insights from a comprehensive survey with over 450 cybersecurity professionals. Respondents, who the majority were from North America with a seniority of C-Suite, answered questions on the following subjects:
 

Technology

  • 2026 Investment Priorities
  • Quantum Computing
  • AI Governance and Policies 

People

  • CISO Board Support
  • Leadership Decisions: Staff Concerns
  • Leadership Decisions: Recruitment

Process

  • Policy Reviews
  • Security Frameworks

Within the report, each of the above topics reveals key statistics from the industry, as well as  expert analysis provided by leading practitioners giving further insights for our community. 
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A Snapshot of the Report Statistics

41%

Cybersecurity leadership will invest in data security in 2024

59%

Anticipate their staff will remain the same in 2024

60%

Organizations that have AI policies in place

46%

of cybersecurity leadership will invest in Zero Trust Network Access

93%

of CISOs believe they have the support of your Board, a 23% increase over the last three years.

70%

of organizations have AI policies in place, which has increased 10% in the last two years.

Data Security Investment 2024 (990 x 500 px)
Data Security - Top Investment Priority
The top ranked investment area for 2024

41%

Cybersecurity leadership will invest in data security in 2024

cybersecurity staff will increase in 2024 (990 x 500 px)
Staffing levels to remain the same
Expectations by cyber leaders for recruitment in 2024

59%

Anticipate their staff will remain the same in 2024

ai policy (990 x 500 px)
Most organizations have AI policies
How to balance regulation with innovation?

60%

Organizations that have AI policies in place

Insight Partner: Island

Key insights into enterprise browsers were provided by our insight partner, Island. 

Island is the developer of the Enterprise Browser – the ideal enterprise workplace, where work flows freely while remaining fundamentally secure. With the core needs of the enterprise naturally embedded in the browser itself, Island gives organizations complete control, visibility, and governance over the last mile, while delivering the same smooth Chromium-based browser experience users expect. Island is redefining the future of work for some of the largest, most respected enterprises in the world.

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