AI, cybersecurity, and alignment: What the 10th Annual Trends Report reveals

For ten years, we have tracked the shifting priorities of the technology landscape. Our 10th annual trends report arrives at a fascinating juncture for businesses. While technology accelerates at a breakneck pace, the economic backdrop remains challenging.

It comes as no surprise that the single biggest operational challenge identified by both C-Suite executives and IT professionals is economic uncertainty. This shared concern sets the stage for every other decision you make this year. You are being asked to do more, innovate faster, and secure a wider perimeter, often without the budget flexibility you might have enjoyed in the past.

But beyond the economic headlines, our data reveals a more complex story. It highlights a disconnect between leadership perceptions and operational reality, a race to adopt AI that may be outpacing governance, and a persistent battle for cyber resilience.

Here is what the data means for your organisation and how you can navigate the year ahead.

The alignment disconnect

One of the most striking findings in this year’s report is the difference in perception between those at the top of the organisation and those managing the daily workflows.

When asked how aligned current platforms are with business needs, 61% of C-Suite respondents said they were 'fully aligned', believing their systems flex with strategic goals. However, only 45% of IT professionals agreed. The drop is even steeper when we ask Operations professionals, where just 17% feel that same alignment.

What this means for you:
There is a 'Reality Gap' emerging. Leadership often views technology through the lens of strategic potential - what the systems can do. Meanwhile, IT and Operations teams view it through the lens of daily friction - what the systems actually do in practice.

If your Operations team feels misaligned, it suggests that while the strategy might be sound, the execution is hampered by legacy workflows or disjointed tools. This is reinforced by our finding on infrastructure confidence. While 50% of the C-Suite is very confident that current infrastructure supports organisational goals, only 39% of IT professionals agree.

The Fix:
You need to bring Operations into the strategic conversation earlier. If there is a 44-point gap between your CEO's perception of system flexibility and your Operations Manager's reality, you are making decisions based on incomplete data. Bridge this gap by auditing user experiences, not just system capabilities.

The AI rush: ambition vs. governance

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a buzzword; it is the primary objective. 70% of IT professionals rated AI adoption and integration as their top business priority for the next 12 months, a sentiment mirrored by the C-Suite.

The motivation is clear. Both groups identified "improving workforce productivity and collaboration" as the top reason for using AI. In an economy where efficiency is king, AI is seen as the crown jewel of opportunity. In fact, 70% of the C-Suite and 65% of IT professionals view AI as their organisation's biggest opportunity.

However, enthusiasm may be outpacing governance. Our report shows that for 25% of organisations, a personal AI usage policy is still in development.

What this means for you:
Your staff are likely already using AI tools to help with their work, whether sanctioned or not. If a quarter of businesses still lack a formal policy, they are exposing themselves to data leakage and intellectual property risks.

Furthermore, there is an adoption gap across the wider business. While IT and leadership see the opportunity, the average across all job functions drops to 53%. This suggests that departments like Sales, Finance, and Operations are either unaware of the benefits or fearful of the changes.

The Fix:
Prioritise governance immediately. You cannot leverage the productivity gains of AI safely without a framework that tells your staff what is and isn't acceptable. Once the guardrails are up, focus on internal education to bring the wider business onboard with your vision.

The cyber confidence crisis

Following closely behind AI, cyber resilience is the second highest priority for IT professionals. Yet, the statistics paint a worrying picture of vulnerability and resource constraints.

When asked about challenges in improving cybersecurity, 60% of IT professionals pointed to budget or resource issues. This lack of investment has real-world consequences for confidence.

• Protection Levels: 57% of IT professionals feel only "somewhat" protected, explicitly stating that more investment is needed.

• Access Control: Only 23% of IT professionals are fully confident they have comprehensive real-time visibility over who is accessing their systems. 18% admit to having occasional blind spots, and 19% have only basic monitoring with gaps.

What this means for you:
If nearly 80% of IT professionals lack full confidence in who is accessing their systems, the foundation of your security posture is shaky. Identity and Access Management (IAM) is critical, yet it appears to be a major stumbling block.

The frustration is palpable: IT teams know what needs to be done - better training (cited as a challenge by 42%) and better tools, but the economic uncertainty mentioned earlier is likely tightening the purse strings.

The Fix:
You must treat cyber resilience as a business survival metric, not an IT line item. If budget is the blocker, focus on high-impact, lower-cost wins first, such as enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere and conducting regular, mandatory staff training to reduce the human risk factor. Consider partnering with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) who can consolidate your cybersecurity tools and provide expert monitoring around the clock. This approach not only strengthens your security posture but can also be more cost-effective than attempting to cover all aspects in-house, and is certainly more economical than the financial implications of a breach.

Data: plenty of process, not enough insight

We live in a data-rich world, but are we insight-poor?

The report shows that the mechanics of data are largely in place. 71% of IT professionals say data management processes are embedded, with another 21% reporting them as 'in progress'.

However, when we asked if current systems empower leadership to make timely, effective, data-driven decisions, only 41% of IT professionals strongly agreed.

What this means for you:
You are collecting data, storing it, and managing it, but you might not be using it effectively. Having a process is not the same as having actionable intelligence. This statistic suggests a gap in data strategy. The pipes are built, but the water isn't flowing to the people who need to drink.

The Fix:
Building on your data management (storage and security), you need to increase focus on data governance, analytics (quality and usage), and Master Data Management (MDM). MDM ensures that your organisation has a single, consistent view of critical data across all systems, which is essential for making timely and effective decisions. Ask your leadership team: "What one decision could you not make today because you lacked the data?" Work backward from that question to build dashboards, reports, and MDM frameworks that actually empower decision-making.

Moving forward in an uncertain year

The 10th annual trends report highlights a year of friction. There is friction between the desire for AI and the lack of policy; friction between C-Suite optimism and operational reality; and friction between the need for security and the reality of budgets.

However, these challenges also clarify your roadmap:

1. Realign your teams: Stop looking at strategy in isolation. Listen to your operations and IT teams to understand the reality of your infrastructure.

2. Govern your AI: Don’t let the excitement for productivity override the need for safety. Get your policies written.

3. Invest in visibility: You cannot secure what you cannot see. Prioritise visibility into system access, even if budgets are tight.

Many organisations find it challenging to tackle these priorities alone, especially while managing day-to-day demands. This is where working with a Managed Services Provider (MSP)  can make a significant difference. A trusted MSP brings expertise to realign technology with business goals, strengthen governance over AI initiatives, and bolster cyber resilience without overburdening internal teams or constrained budgets. With the right partner, you gain not just technical know-how, but a strategic ally invested in your long-term success, helping you navigate uncertainty with greater confidence, efficiency, and peace of mind.

By addressing these three core areas and leveraging the support of an experienced partner, you can turn this year of uncertainty into a year of solidified resilience and strategic growth. Learn how we can help.