What Every Security Leader Must Prepare for in 2026
As organizations accelerate toward 2026, the cybersecurity landscape is becoming more complex, more unpredictable, and more heavily influenced by fast-evolving technologies like generative AI. Threat actors are moving with unprecedented speed, regulatory demands are increasing, and the tools and techniques needed to defend modern environments are shifting just as rapidly.
To help security leaders navigate what’s ahead, WatchGuard’s Threat Lab has released its annual Cybersecurity Predictions for 2026, a forward-looking analysis of the key trends, threat evolutions, and industry shifts expected to define the coming year. Below is a snapshot of several major insights identified in this year’s report.
Key Cybersecurity Trends to Watch in 2026
Crypto-Ransomware Fades
Traditional encryption-based ransomware is expected to decline as threat actors turn their focus toward pure extortion and data theft.
AI-Powered Open Source Defense
Open-source package repositories may begin implementing automated, AI-driven defenses to help identify and mitigate malicious activity in software supply chains.
Secure-by-Design Goes Mainstream
Emerging regulations, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act, are accelerating the industry’s adoption of secure-by-design development principles—making proactive security a requirement rather than an option.
Autonomous AI-Driven Attack Emerges
WatchGuard predicts the first fully autonomous AI cyberattack, marking a new era in which machine-driven threats can independently plan, execute, and adapt.
Zero Trust Replaces Legacy Remote Access
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is expected to become the preferred method of securing remote users, increasingly taking the place of traditional VPN technologies.
AI Literacy Becomes a Cybersecurity Skill Requirement
With AI now a core component of both offensive and defensive operations, cybersecurity professionals will need AI fluency to remain effective and competitive.
Hear Directly from the Experts
To explore these predictions in more detail, watch the webinar featuring:
- Corey Nachreiner, Chief Security Officer
- Adam Winn, Field CTO
- Marc Laliberte, Director of Security Operations
Their discussion breaks down the reasoning behind each prediction and offers practical insights for organizations preparing their 2026 security strategies. You can also listen to the latest episode of The 443 Podcast, where the Threat Lab team examines these trends from an analyst’s perspective.
Explore the Full Predictions Archive
Want to see how cybersecurity has evolved over time? You can review all WatchGuard predictions from the past five years at: watchguard.com/predictions