For many IT departments, 2026 may feel less like a “vision” and more like a “reality shock.” Some of the technological promises of recent years have become established, as have tangible requirements and problems. This raises specific questions in day-to-day business: What can and must we afford? What do we need to secure or renew? And in which areas do we want to become more independent?

In 2026, IT will be less experimental and much more strategic. Companies are facing regulatory pressure, rising costs, and new expectations regarding stability, transparency, and resilience. Our outlook is not intended to highlight the big tech buzzwords such as green IT, quantum computing, AI, and the like. We want to take a pragmatic look at the issues that are actually shaping everyday IT this year. We also summarize the areas in which almost every company will have to find real solutions by this year at the latest.

When business gradually slows down during the holidays and many companies switch to reduced operating mode, cybercriminals mercilessly exploit this phase. Many employees are on well-deserved vacation, entire departments are often understaffed, and general attention levels drop, security measures are scaled back, and security aspects are monitored less strictly. As perfidious as it sounds, this is actually the perfect moment for attackers, right?

Many companies underestimate the fact that the holidays and New Year unfortunately offer “ideal conditions” because warning signs are less likely to be recognized and responsiveness is limited. What basic preventive measures should a company take against this?

IT security in Europe is not based on a single law. Rather, it is a network of several important legal and regulatory requirements that must be observed. The basic rule is that EU regulations are directly applicable in all member states, while EU directives must be implemented through national laws. We take a detailed look at the most important ones.