AI the Top Priority for New Spend as Cyber Budgets Flatline
IANS survey of 500 US CISOs finds AI is the top priority for net-new security budget even as overall cybersecurity budgets stay flat.
IANS's 2026 Security Budget Benchmark Report, based on interviews with 500 US security executives, found AI was the most popular focus for incremental budget, cited by 69% of respondents. Software now accounts for 35% of the security budget in 2026, up from 29% last year, nearly matching staff and compensation. Overall median budget growth remained flat, with 55% keeping budgets flat or making cuts, while 71% of VC-backed companies increased security budgets versus 52% of public companies. Most CISOs (69%) do not expect AI to cut headcount, and 81% anticipate it creating demand for new roles and skills.
- AI cited by 69% of US CISOs as top area for new security spend
- Software reaches 35% of security budgets in 2026, up from 29%
- 55% of respondents kept budgets flat or cut amid economic headwinds
- 69% of CISOs expect no headcount cuts from AI; 81% foresee new roles
- 71% of VC-backed companies grew security budgets versus 52% of public firms
From the original article
2 min read at infosecurity-magazine.com
IANS finds AI is dominating net-new budgets even as overall funding for the function is flat
By Phil Muncaster · infosecurity-magazine.com
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