ISACA has released its 2026 Tech Trends & Priorities Pulse Poll, highlighting the biggest challenges and focus areas shaping the technology and cybersecurity landscape for the year ahead.
According to the findings, 67% of digital trust professionals in India expect AI-driven cyber threats and deepfakes to be their top concern in 2026, followed by the potential harm from undetected breaches (44%) and the struggle to keep pace with rapid technological change (39%).
AI Dominates the Agenda
Based on responses from 2,963 professionals worldwide — including 212 from India — the survey reveals that half of Indian tech professionals see keeping up with AI-driven change as their biggest professional concern heading into 2026. Other key worries include the growing complexity of threats (31%) and talent retention (26%).
AI and machine learning (65%) and generative AI/LLMs (56%) top the list of technologies expected to have the greatest impact, alongside data privacy and sovereignty (43%) and cloud security (35%). However, only 22% of respondents feel their organizations are very prepared to manage generative AI risks.
AI is also expected to drive the next wave of cyberattacks, with AI-powered social engineering (75%), ransomware and extortion (52%), and insider threats (38%) emerging as leading concerns.
“While it can sometimes feel daunting, it is imperative to approach AI not merely as a challenge but as an opportunity,” said Pablo Ballarin, Founder, Balusian S.L., and Member of the ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group. “By enhancing expertise and strategies, digital trust professionals can uphold system integrity and foster trust across digital ecosystems.”
Regulation, Resilience, and Talent Take Center Stage
Regulatory complexity and compliance risks (36%) are also expected to weigh heavily on Indian professionals in 2026. Yet, 89% believe cyber-related regulations will drive business growth, and 91% say they will strengthen digital trust in the coming years.
The top three focus areas for Indian organizations in 2026 are regulatory compliance (79%), business continuity and resilience (74%), and workforce upskilling in data security (68%). On the talent front, 72% plan to hire for digital trust roles, though nearly half (46%) anticipate difficulty finding qualified candidates.
Preparing for 2026: ISACA’s Key Recommendations
ISACA identified five priority actions for organizations as they look ahead:
Establish robust AI governance and risk frameworks.
Accelerate workforce upskilling and invest in continuous learning.
Modernize legacy systems to enhance agility and reduce vulnerabilities.
Strengthen cyber resilience through tested incident response and recovery plans.
Prepare for evolving regulatory landscapes with proactive compliance strategies.
“Digital trust professionals face rapidly evolving technology, threats, and regulations that demand constant adaptation,” said Chetan Anand, AVP – Information Security & CISO, Profinch Solutions, and Member of the ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group. “The end of the year offers a vital opportunity to reassess priorities, strengthen skills, and set up organizations for success in 2026.”
