The CISO Outlook 2026
Authentic intelligence in the age of AI
As AI adoption accelerates, so does the complexity of enterprise cyber risk. While organizations increasingly rely on AI to strengthen monitoring, detection, and threat response, cybercriminals are also using it to launch more sophisticated attacks, impersonation schemes, and domain-based threats.
CSC’s research report explores how chief information security officers (CISOs) and senior technology leaders are managing escalating cybersecurity risks, strengthening governance frameworks, and balancing AI-driven opportunity with operational and regulatory complexity.
Overview
Based on a global survey of 300 senior technology and cybersecurity executives, including CISOs, chief technology officers (CTOs), chief information officers (CIOs), and heads of cybersecurity, The CISO Outlook 2026 provides a data-driven view of how organizations manage cybersecurity risk in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Respondents were surveyed in early 2026 and are evenly split across North America; Europe including the U.K. and the Asia-Pacific region.
The report explores the cybersecurity threats organizations face today, including domain and domain name system (DNS) hijacking, cybersquatting, ransomware, social media impersonation, and deepfake-related fraud. It also examines how organizations approach AI governance, supply chain risk, DNS resilience, and evolving regulatory requirements as cyber threats continue to grow in scale and complexity.