The events leading up to 2026 have set a distinct tone for the security landscape. We believe that security is no longer just a cost center—it is a strategic enabler that allows you to do business with confidence. But to innovate, we must first understand the ground beneath our feet.
1. The Human Cost of AI: Reshaping Insider Risk
Innovation is exciting, but we must be honest about the transition. As organizations rapidly integrate automation and generative AI to correct for past overhiring, we are seeing a rise in workforce restructuring. But this isn't just an HR challenge; it is a security reality.
Mass layoffs linked to AI are heightening anti-corporate sentiment. When rapid change meets human uncertainty, the risk of insider threats—ranging from data theft to sabotage—naturally rises. We believe that protecting your organization starts with empathy. Understanding the link between workforce sentiment and security is key to building resilience from the inside out.
2. The Erosion of Trust: GenAI and Information Disorder
Seeing isn’t always believing. In 2026, the information landscape is being threatened by the rapid advancement of Generative AI. The tools to create convincing voice clones, face-swaps, and synthetic text are now accessible to almost anyone, allowing threat actors to fabricate content within hours.
This creates a "trust deficit" where corporations face tangible threats from reputational attacks and market manipulation. We are entering an era where you must be prepared for synthetic media attacks intended to disrupt your operations or extract sensitive information. It’s a brave new world, and verifying reality is now a critical business function.
3. The Cloud Paradox: Dependency vs. Vulnerability
We know that agility is essential for strategy. To achieve it, organizations are increasingly migrating operations to cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) models. However, this dependency creates a paradox.
As businesses consolidate hybrid working and AI into their operations, they increase their exposure to digital risks, such as outages and misconfigurations. We are seeing that rapid migration to multiple SaaS providers can create blind spots in access management, increasing the likelihood of cyber and insider threats. When the cloud goes down, operations stop—making these environments a prime target for those seeking to cause disruption.
4. The Drone Gap: A Challenge for Authorities
The skies above our critical assets are changing. We have observed a continued hesitancy by Western authorities to confront the threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to transport nodes and critical infrastructure.
This regulatory gap encourages further exploitation. Threat actors, including activists and criminal organizations, are utilizing locally launched, "expendable" hardware to target commercial and industrial sites. The reality is that commercially available drones are becoming a tool for disruption and recording, exploiting anxiety to maximize publicity. It raises a simple question: if the authorities aren't intervening, are you prepared to detect and respond?
5. The "Green" Friction: Sustainability Disrupting Infrastructure
We all want a sustainable future. But the path there is creating friction. The demand for resource-intensive projects—like data centers for AI and semiconductor plants—is skyrocketing.
These projects require massive amounts of energy, water, and land, triggering "sustainability concerns" from activists and local communities. We are seeing these critical infrastructure projects becoming targets for protests, sabotage, and lawsuits. It is a complex cycle where the drive for digital and green transition creates its own security hurdles.
Intelligence-led security helps safeguard what matters most
The landscape of 2026 is complex, but it is navigable. At Securitas, we don't believe in fear-mongering; we believe in preparedness.
By viewing these low-probability, high-impact risks as a question of "when, not if," you can prepare for worst-case scenarios to achieve the best possible outcomes. We’re here to help you see a different world—one where risks are managed, so your opportunities can be realized.
Reach out to us to get your free copy of the 2026 Intelligence Estimate and discover how Securitas’ intelligence services can help your organization stay vigilant, prepared, and protected in the year ahead.
