5 network security predictions for 2026

<p>With the end of 2025 quickly approaching, it’s time to look forward to 2026 and explore some key themes security leaders should be aware of to help focus their efforts.</p>
<p>In reviewing <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/opinion/Network-security-predictions-for-the-next-year”>my 2025 predictions</a>, one that exceeded my expectations was Palo Alto Networks’ <a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/press/2025/palo-alto-networks-announces-agreement-to-acquire-cyberark–the-identity-security-leader” rel=”noopener”>acquisition</a> of CyberArk. In December 2024 I wrote, “For both zero trust and SASE, integrations with identity providers are critical. Privileged access management has become a core use case for many zero-trust network access vendors. Ultimately, I could see a scenario where a network security vendor looks at the identity market and decides there’s enough opportunity to take a chance.” I’m not sure I had a $25 billion acquisition in mind when I wrote that.</p>
<p>So, what’s in store for the upcoming year? Unsurprisingly, AI has at least a mention across all my predictions for 2026. Which isn’t to say it’s the only thing on the agenda, but it has become so pervasive that it will be at least a tangential consideration in most areas.</p>
<p>Without further ado, here are my five network security predictions for 2026.</p>
<section class=”section main-article-chapter” data-menu-title=”Zero trust for AI becomes a priority”>
<h2 class=”section-title”><i class=”icon” data-icon=”1″></i>Zero trust for AI becomes a priority</h2>
<p>Zero trust has shifted from a marketing buzzword to a security imperative, reinforced by reference architectures and executive orders from the federal government. Many organizations are implementing broad <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/answer/What-are-the-most-important-pillars-of-a-zero-trust-framework”>zero-trust architectures</a> across their environments, but due to the complexity of these projects and the fact that zero trust is a journey and not a destination, it remains a work in progress for most.</p>
<p>Yet, IT innovation continues to march forward. Before most organizations have a handle on zero trust generally, they’ll have to consider how to apply it to AI. This includes securing user access to public AI applicatio

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