As ransomware threats persist and AI adoption accelerates, enterprise leaders are rethinking security, IT operations, and human–AI collaboration to drive resilience, accountability, and business value.
As organizations head into 2026, the enterprise risk and technology landscape is becoming more complex—and more strategic—than ever before. Traditional threats such as ransomware and operational downtime continue to test resilience, but new dangers are emerging alongside rapid AI adoption, forcing leaders to rethink how security, IT, and business goals align.
According to Attila Torok, Chief Information Security Officer at GoTo, enterprises are now confronting a new wave of risk driven by fake AI platforms and autonomous malicious agents. These tools add a sophisticated layer of social engineering that goes beyond conventional cyberattacks. In response, the role of the CISO is evolving into that of a cross-disciplinary strategist—one who balances innovation, revenue priorities, and risk management across the organization. Secure-by-design product development, stronger third-party risk governance, and tighter alignment between cybersecurity and business strategy are becoming non-negotiable. At the same time, how organizations safeguard customer data within AI systems will increasingly determine trust, compliance, and competitive advantage.
“The real opportunity with AI isn’t replacing people, but enabling humans and machines to work together to achieve greater business value.” — Olga Lagunova, Chief Product and Technology Officer, GoTo
From an IT operations perspective, AI’s influence will only deepen. Joseph George, General Manager of IT Solutions Group at GoTo, notes that despite regulatory scrutiny and economic uncertainty, enterprises will lean further into AI in 2026. As adoption scales, ethical AI use will take center stage, prompting greater focus on governance, transparency, and accountability. Agentic AI is also set to redefine IT service management—shifting performance metrics away from ticket resolution toward proactive problem prevention and measurable business outcomes. However, George cautions that organizations must guard against over-automation, ensuring human judgment continues to work in concert with AI where critical decisions are involved.
Underpinning these trends is a fundamental shift in how AI and human teams work together. Olga Lagunova, Chief Product and Technology Officer at GoTo, emphasizes that the conversation has moved beyond fears of AI replacing people. Instead, the focus is now on collaboration. While routine tasks will increasingly be automated, the true value lies in augmenting human capabilities with AI to help organizations scale and refocus talent on higher-impact work. Enterprises that assess AI against their specific business needs—and integrate it thoughtfully into everyday workflows—will be best positioned to achieve measurable outcomes and avoid misdirected investments.
Together, these shifts signal a future where cybersecurity leadership, ethical AI adoption, and human–AI collaboration are not just technology initiatives but core elements of enterprise strategy—driving resilience, innovation, and trust in the years ahead.