Cyber security in 2027: resilience through strategic governance and autonomy
1 October 2026
Tags
Consulting
Digital transformation and AI
Risk & regulation
Insights
Cyber security faces a convergence of rapidly shifting technologies, evolving regulations and advanced threats. To prepare for what’s next, organisations will need to embrace strategic governance and intentional innovation.
Every year, industry leaders at Forvis Mazars come together to collate insights on the global state of cyber security and offer advice to organisations navigating its complexity. This year’s report explores how organisations can leverage technology and navigate complex global issues – like regulation, geopolitical instability and questions of digital sovereignty – to improve organisational resilience and autonomy.
Key insights
- Cyber security is becoming a business advantage: Strong cyber security is no longer simply a cost of doing business. It is increasingly influencing supplier selection, customer confidence, access to partnerships and the ability to demonstrate business resilience.
- Digital autonomy is becoming a strategic priority: Questions around where data is stored, who controls critical infrastructure and which technology providers organisations depend on are moving up the agenda. For global organisations, autonomy, rather than sovereignty alone, provides a more practical route to resilience.
- Regulation requires a risk-based response: Organisations are navigating increasingly complex and contrasting regulatory environments. Rather than treating each requirement as a separate compliance exercise, a risk-based approach can help organisations focus resources on the areas that matter most.
- Operational technology brings new risk and opportunity: As operational technology becomes more connected to corporate IT, cloud platforms and remote systems, organisations are gaining greater visibility but also creating new routes for cyber threats. Managing that connectivity with appropriate governance and controls will be critical.
- AI is accelerating both attack and defence: AI is changing cyber security on both sides. Attackers can automate increasingly sophisticated threats, while defenders can use AI to strengthen detection, response and resilience. The challenge is deploying these capabilities with proportionate governance and meaningful human oversight.
- Effective cyber security starts with strong data governance: As AI and digital transformation increase the volume and complexity of data use, organisations need a clear understanding of where their data sits, how it is accessed and how it moves through third-party ecosystems. Good governance remains fundamental to managing cyber risk effectively.
- Preparing now for the quantum security challenge: Quantum computing may not represent an immediate threat for most organisations, but long-term data confidentiality means preparation cannot wait. Cryptographic inventories, asset prioritisation, transition planning and supplier readiness can all begin today.
To move forward, organisations must embed cyber security into their innovation and implementation strategies while staying agile to adapt to evolving threats. Those that do will protect their assets and gain a competitive edge in the digital economy.
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