1. Artificial intelligence will be at the heart of operational IT

In 2026, artificial intelligence will be the central driver of the transformation of business processes and corporate networks. It will automate processes that used to take weeks, significantly speeding up deployment and operation. At the same time, the demands on network security are increasing: transitions between the corporate network, the internet and the cloud must be seamlessly protected and controlled via integrated platforms instead of individual isolated solutions.

In the next two years, AI will also fundamentally change network management. Configurations, troubleshooting and even fault rectification will be increasingly automated, while systems will independently identify problems and suggest or directly implement solutions. Automatic documentation significantly increases transparency and operational reliability.

2. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated - especially through AI

In 2026, the threat situation will intensify considerably and become even more complex. Ransomware remains the most visible and economically consequential threat, as it affects companies directly and can paralyze entire business processes. At the same time, industrial espionage is increasing significantly: attacks are targeted and often go unnoticed, for example by tapping into sensitive development data or via vulnerabilities in cloud environments. Social engineering is also developing particularly dynamically - thanks to the extensive use of artificial intelligence. Deepfakes, deceptively real identity forgeries and automated disinformation attacks are becoming realistic means of blackmail and manipulation.

Qualified cybersecurity specialists will remain scarce in 2026 - especially for SMEs, which will hardly be able to meet the increasing demand on their own and will therefore be more dependent on external support. At the same time, humans remain the most vulnerable part of any security chain: they can be influenced, are easily distracted and are particularly susceptible to social engineering methods, which are increasingly being reinforced by AI. While machines cannot be tricked into making mistakes by emotions or deception, this is all the more true for employees. Targeted security awareness programmes are therefore becoming increasingly important in order to strengthen risk awareness and increase organizational resilience.

3. Security structures are being managed holistically, automatically and increasingly externally

In 2026, security strategies will be significantly more complex and networked. Isolated measures such as firewalls or traditional endpoint solutions will no longer be sufficient, as attacks will be carried out via numerous vectors simultaneously. What is needed are holistic, integrated security concepts that combine different protection mechanisms, correlate them automatically and are monitored around the clock - ideally by professional managed security services. Without central control and external expertise, companies remain vulnerable, as many attacks take place unnoticed in the background and develop outside regular working hours.

For medium-sized companies, early investment in such modern security models offers a decisive opportunity: those who act in good time protect processes, data and reputation in the long term and remain capable of acting even in an increasingly insecure environment. Those who react too late, on the other hand, risk expensive outages, protracted damage and a loss of customer trust. In a networked world, the following applies more than ever: only those who are prepared remain resilient.

4. Digital sovereignty is becoming the decisive benchmark for Europe

Digital sovereignty will become a key strategic issue for European companies in 2026, especially in critical infrastructures and IT security. This is no longer just about the storage location of data, but about complete control over its processing and access rights. True sovereignty requires transparency and independence from third-party providers - far beyond European cloud locations. As even European data centers often use international hardware and therefore harbour risks, it is becoming crucial for companies to make their data processes traceable and controllable instead of relying solely on geographical factors.

In 2026, companies will need more transparency, more automation and more resilience. IT security and network service providers will become strategic partners that help companies to actively shape technological change while remaining flexible and secure. Those organizations that adapt to these developments early on will not only become more resilient, but also significantly more competitive in a global market that is changing more dynamically than ever before.

About RIEDEL Networks

RIEDEL Networks is a privately held, global network provider focused on customized networks. We are listed in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services as a niche provider specializing in mid-sized international enterprises and the media and events sector. With our own global backbone, we help companies to be connected worldwide. Our services include internet connectivity, MPLS, SD-WAN, SASE, Cloud Connect, security and much more. Our customers come from various industries and value quality, security and reliability. RIEDEL Networks is a 100% company of the RIEDEL Communications Group in Wuppertal, Germany, and is fully privately owned by Thomas Riedel.