Top Risks 2026: Education Industry Insights

5 min read

2026 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and Opportunities

Higher education institutions are navigating a landscape defined by declining enrollment, regulatory volatility, and the urgent need to modernize legacy systems. Protiviti’s global survey of 1,540 cross-industry board members and C-suite leaders highlights how higher education executives are addressing these challenges, balancing cyber threats, talent shortages, and demographic shifts while pursuing growth through AI adoption, ecosystem partnerships, and revenue diversification. The findings reveal a sector confronting immediate risks while embracing opportunities for innovation and long-term sustainability. Read the full report to uncover where your peers are focusing investments, how AI is transforming strategy, and what actions leading institutions are taking to build resilience and drive growth.

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13-minute read

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Where higher education leaders see the greatest growth opportunities over the next two to three years

Faced with enrollment challenges and financial pressures, institution leaders are uncovering innovative ways to strengthen relevance and sustainability while driving long-term impact.

Ecosystem development

Revenue potential

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.

Cyber Defense and Resilience

Recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive academic and personal data, we enhance your institution's cyber governance and response capabilities to ensure operational continuity against evolving threats.

AI Governance and Integration

Understanding the complexities of AI adoption in higher education, we provide tailored frameworks and training that empower your institution to integrate AI securely and responsibly across academic and administrative functions.

Technology Modernisation and Data Governance

Acknowledging the challenges posed by legacy systems, we support your institution’s modernisation efforts to unlock reliable data and establish a robust foundation for analytics innovation.

Institutional Effectiveness and Talent Strategies

We help institutions align workforce strategies with organisational goals, offering talent development initiatives designed to attract and retain skilled faculty and staff and succession planning solutions that ensure long-term resilience and adaptability.

Education

Higher education organisations are charged with developing the talent for the next generation. Institutions are evaluating and implementing new programmes and new models of instruction that are essential to address an increasingly diverse population of students.

Discover our full catalog of insight briefs for additional research findings and expert commentary related to the 2026 report on Top Risks.

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FAQs

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How are higher education institutions modernizing core systems to stay competitive and resilient?

With 55% of executives prioritizing infrastructure modernization and 60% citing legacy systems as barriers, higher education leaders recognize that outdated technology limits agility and increases risk. Institutions are investing in modern platforms and stronger data governance to unlock analytics and responsible AI use. Protiviti supports institutions in upgrading core systems and integrating technology that strengthens reliability and future-readiness.

What steps are institutions taking to address cybersecurity threats and protect sensitive data?

Cyber threats are the second-highest near-term risk, with 64% of higher education leaders elevating cybersecurity as a critical investment. Institutions are strengthening cyber governance, incident response, and privacy controls to safeguard academic, research, and personal data. Protiviti helps institutions enhance cybersecurity readiness and resilience through regular testing, scenario exercises, and improved incident response planning.

How can higher education institutions realize the value of AI while managing governance and integration challenges?

57% of executives express concerns about integrating AI within existing systems and establishing enterprise-level governance. Institutions are building AI oversight, role-based training, and robust data practices to ensure responsible adoption. Protiviti partners with higher ed institutions to develop AI governance frameworks, upskill teams, and drive secure, accountable adoption of AI technologies.

What strategies are higher education leaders using to adapt enrollment models and sustain revenue growth?

Facing demographic shifts and volatile enrollment, 54% of leaders are pursuing alternative revenue models and expanding offerings aligned with job market trends. This includes certificates, partnerships, and new delivery formats. Protiviti works with institutions to re-evaluate academic portfolios and design strategies that align programs with market demand and financial sustainability.

How are institutions strengthening talent pipelines and leadership continuity amid ongoing workforce challenges?

Talent acquisition and succession remain top risks, with persistent staffing gaps affecting operational effectiveness. Leaders are implementing structured succession planning and skills-based hiring to close capability gaps. Protiviti assists institutions in establishing job architectures, competency pathways, and leadership development programs that support long-term resilience.