Three Technology Shifts That Security Leaders Must Prepare for in 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, security leaders across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and enterprise environments are facing a familiar challenge. That challenge is needing to do more with tighter budgets, aging systems, and growing risk. While new technologies continue to emerge, the biggest impact this year won’t come from novelty, but will come from practical application to known challenges.

Here are three trends security professionals should be paying close attention to as they plan for the future.

Practical AI and LLM Adoption That Drives Real Productivity

Artificial intelligence has dominated headlines, but in 2026 the conversation will shift from talking about AI to using it effectively. Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly being applied to real-world security operations, delivering tangible productivity gains.

Forward-looking organizations are already using LLMs to streamline specifications, standard operating procedures, hiring filters, and even contract reviews. Instead of rebuilding documentation from scratch, AI can synthesize existing SOPs, training materials, and compliance documents. This can save time but also ensure consistency. The pivot we expect to see from organizations in 2026 is that they will make small investments in AI agents from contractors who can create purpose-built AI for a specific need. This may include scrubbing multiple RFPs to identify products, risks, geographies or other features to make your teams more productive.

On the operational side, AI is being layered onto enterprise systems like ERP platforms and SharePoint. With years of site-level data already captured, security teams can now query massive datasets in plain language. For example, using this approach a chief security officer along with their integration partner can identify camera models that are end of life across a portfolio by site. AI tools can surface that information instantly and as a result enable smarter lifecycle planning and proactive risk mitigation. Organizations that do not adopt these practical AI workflows risk falling behind in efficiency and decision-making.

Ground-Based Radar, Drones and Mobile Surveillance Solutions

Drones, ground-based radar (GBR), and mobile surveillance trailers are no longer experimental technologies for practical use in the security industry. In 2026, they will represent a more mature, cost-effective approach to perimeter security and situational awareness. This will be particularly true for large and remote sites.

Ground-based radar and analytics can now replace traditional guard tours and fence-based detection systems that once required miles of trenching and cabling. Advances in wireless connectivity and solar power allow these systems to reliably operate in remote areas without the need for costly infrastructure.

Drone deployments are also becoming more sophisticated. However, it’s important to note that there is a significant difference between a hobby drone and an enterprise-grade solution. Managed drone systems operating within FAA-certified frameworks can perform autonomous guard tours, integrate directly into video management systems, and be taken over by trained operators during incidents. Drones can provide both real-time response and can now integrate video with trusted video management platforms to provide evidence-grade video.

Mobile surveillance trailers, increasingly seen in large, expansive parking lots and large campuses, are now being customized to integrate seamlessly with a customer’s preferred VMS, improving flexibility without sacrificing consistency.

Data-Driven Lifecycle Management to Reduce “Rip and Replace” Risk

Many organizations don’t fully understand the value, age, or condition of their security assets and that blind spot creates budget risk. Database-driven lifecycle management is emerging as a critical strategy for 2026. Decision making requires data and customers who are at the forefront of building and maintaining this data will be miles ahead and be able to protect their security investments.

By capturing and maintaining accurate device data, security leaders gain visibility into aging systems, future capital needs, and technology obsolescence risks. This approach allows organizations to budget more strategically, refresh systems incrementally, and avoid the costly “rip and replace” scenarios that can occur when systems are allowed to age unchecked and without a plan in place.

AI further strengthens this strategy by helping teams uncover historical designs, reports, and product evaluations, information that is already stored within platforms like SharePoint or Office 365 thereby ensuring knowledge is reused, not lost.

In 2026, success in security won’t hinge on chasing the newest technology, but it will depend on applying proven tools more intelligently. Organizations that embrace practical AI, modern perimeter solutions, and data-driven lifecycle planning will be better positioned to protect people, assets, and budgets for 2026 and beyond.