< Back to the full 2026 report on Top Risks 2026 CISO outlook: Top risks, AI challenges, and growth opportunities in cybersecurity 5 min read 2026 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and OpportunitiesThe next phase of enterprise security won’t be defined by a single threat, but by the convergence of many. In our survey of 1,540 global executives, CISOs identify cyber threats, third-party exposure, and AI-driven risks as the forces most reshaping their near-term agenda. At the same time, leaders report strong optimism around revenue generation, ecosystem development, and geographic expansion showing that ambition is rising alongside risk. As organizations navigate this dual reality, CISOs are sharpening focus on the areas that will matter most in the years ahead. Explore the full report to see where security leaders are concentrating their investments and how those decisions are shaping the future of enterprise resilience.Download the 2026 insights for information security teams13-minute readWatch the 2026 webinar60-minutes, on-demand Where information security leaders see the greatest growth opportunities over the next two to three yearsCISOs anticipate notable opportunities for growth as organizations harness advances in artificial intelligence, strengthen their ecosystems, and expand into new markets. 71 % Revenue potential 68 % Ecosystem development 56 % Geographic expansion Based on a five-point scale assessing agreement/disagreement. Percentages reflect sum of "Agree completely" and "Agree somewhat" responses. Our webinar series Discover how leading executives are turning today’s top risks—AI, cybersecurity, and talent—into tomorrow’s growth. Join us for actionable insights to help your organization outpace uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Register now Explore featured solutions Pro Digital Hightech Artificial Intelligence (AI) We help organizations reach the possible with AI that’s innovative, controlled, and accountable, focusing on delivering business outcomes, supporting you through change, and building trust through responsible, expert-led implementation. Pro cloud Cybersecurity We help leaders align cyber initiatives with core business objectives to drive growth, build trust, and ensure resilience focusing on protecting your revenue, reputation and customer trust. Pro Briefcase Operational Resilience With our expertise across the four domains of operational resilience: business, technology, cyber and third-party, we help organizations build scalable programs that effectively prepare for and protect against disruption. Technology We help organizations modernize with purpose to maximize ROI and drive enterprise impact, transforming technology with speed, accuracy & focused-outcomes. Get more Top Risks insights Discover our full catalog of insight briefs for additional research findings and expert commentary related to the 2026 report on Top Risks. Insights by industry Insights by organizational role Insights by industry Aerospace & Defense Energy & Utilities Financial Services Healthcare Manufacturing & Distribution Private Equity Technology, Media & Telecommunications Insights by organizational role Finance Teams Internal Audit Teams Operations Teams Technology & Data Teams FAQs + EXPAND ALL How are CISOs aligning security with growth as opportunities expand? + CISOs see substantial upside ahead, with 71% citing revenue potential, 68% expecting ecosystem development, and 56% anticipating geographic expansion over the next two to three years. Protiviti helps organizations build security programs that can scale with growth by assessing cyber risks, strengthening core capabilities across cloud, data, and identity, and improving governance and reporting structures that support executive and board decision-making. What’s the most effective way to reduce exposure from AI-related data risks? + 32% of leaders cite risks tied to data required for AI use as their top AI-related concern, and 25% highlight emerging regulatory pressures around AI governance. Protiviti helps organizations reduce AI-related data risks by assessing how AI systems use sensitive information and implementing responsible-AI controls that strengthen governance, transparency, and oversight in line with emerging regulations. How are CISOs addressing the rise in third-party and supply-chain risk? + Third-party risk is the #2 near-term global concern for CISOs, driven by expanding vendor ecosystems and the need for greater assurance beyond traditional compliance checks. Protiviti helps organizations strengthen third-party oversight by assessing vendor security practices, improving continuous validation processes, and enhancing resilience across distributed ecosystems in line with evolving business and risk expectations. How can CISOs build a more resilient environment as technology risks evolve? + Cyber threats remain the #1 near-term global risk, while new risks introduced by AI rank in the top three concerns for CISOs worldwide. Protiviti assists organizations in strengthening resilience by modernizing security operations, improving monitoring, and reinforcing readiness for emerging technology-driven threats. How can CISOs improve efficiency and reduce tool sprawl while managing new threats? + 24% of leaders are concerned about workforce impacts from AI-related changes, and legacy operational challenges remain a pressing issue, contributing to rising expectations for teams to “do more with less.” Protiviti assists organizations in identifying where automation, AI enabled workflows, and thoughtful tool consolidation can support more efficient operations while helping teams maintain a strong security baseline. Connect with us Sameer Ansari Sameer Ansari, Global CISO Solutions Leader, brings over 20 years of experience developing and delivering complex privacy solutions to the Financial Industry, and privacy consulting and implementation experience in the TMT and Consumer Products industries, in many ... Learn More Subscribe to our thought leadership Get exclusive access to more content and insights to help you stay ahead. 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