Netskope outlines AI and quantum security predictions for 2026
Industry experts from Netskope have projected key security trends and challenges expected in 2026, highlighting shifts in Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data sovereignty, and regulatory dynamics that enterprise IT and security leaders should prepare for.
Anticipated contraction of speculative AI activities
Mark Day, Chief Scientist at Netskope, forecasts that the current surge in AI interest will contract sharply in 2026, leading to a reduction in speculative AI projects. He notes that genuine enterprise uses of AI will likely endure this contraction, although increased scrutiny will focus on AI’s economic sustainability. Day compares this potential downturn to previous technology bubbles, suggesting the economic impact could surpass the end of the internet bubble due to the obsolescence of extensive data center investments.
Predicted first agentic AI-induced data breach
Neil Thacker, Global Privacy and Data Protection Officer (DPO), anticipates that 2026 will witness a landmark data breach caused by an autonomous AI agent within an enterprise. Such an event would recalibrate global approaches to AI governance, compliance, and risk management by revealing vulnerabilities associated with unchecked AI autonomy and integration of AI services. Thacker recommends the deployment of AI gateways to monitor and control AI activities, akin to the adoption of Cloud Access Security Brokers for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) security in prior years.
Initiation of quantum security implementations
Rehman Khan, Chief Information Security Architect, states that 2026 will mark the transition from conceptual discussions to practical implementation of quantum-resistant security measures. With Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards set by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, organizations will prioritize securing data against threats posed by future quantum decryption capabilities. Leaders are expected to begin comprehensive audits to identify current encryption assets as foundational steps toward adopting quantum-resistant protocols.
Shifts in digital trust due to AI and quantum computing
David Fairman, CIO and CSO for APAC, outlines that the intersection of Generative AI (GenAI) and quantum computing will challenge existing frameworks of digital trust. As AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human-originated material and quantum-assisted cyberattacks emerge, organizations will need to strengthen identity verification, provenance tracking, and content authentication using quantum-resilient cryptography. This evolution will require enterprises and governance bodies to treat digital trust as a continually maintained and verifiable construct.
Regulatory environment complexities and enforcement
Steve Riley, Vice President and Field CTO, indicates that 2026 will present a regulatory environment marked by increased enforcement alongside growing complexity. Regulatory requirements will tighten due to geopolitical factors, while variability across jurisdictions will create compliance challenges for enterprises. Riley emphasizes that failure to adhere to established cybersecurity best practices will result in accountability for avoidable data breaches.
Heightened focus on data sovereignty
James Robison, Chief Information Security Officer, predicts heightened emphasis on data sovereignty regulations in various global regions including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. He projects increased governmental efforts to mandate data retention within national or regional boundaries, which will influence how companies design and deliver localized services to meet these regulatory demands.
This Blog Signals brief consolidates the Netskope expert team's security forecasts for 2026, providing enterprise decision-makers with a fact-based overview of anticipated developments in AI, quantum security, regulatory landscapes, and data sovereignty considerations.