AI drives unified security platforms against complex threats
Cybersecurity software is evolving through the integration of artificial intelligence to protect expanding and complex operating environments, according to new research from Information Services Group (ISG). The 2026 ISG Buyers Guides™ for Cybersecurity indicate that organizations now require unified visibility, continuous monitoring, and rapid threat analysis across hybrid and multicloud environments. Rather than building a simple perimeter around on-premises systems, enterprises need multiple integrated security systems covering distributed applications and remote devices.
AI and automation drive security operations
Cybersecurity is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on analytics-driven platforms that leverage automation to streamline investigations and reduce the burden of frequent alerts. By utilizing behavioral analytics, real-time data, and automated response systems, these platforms can identify and mitigate threats more efficiently. Additionally, software providers are incorporating AI-powered enhancements to expedite the detection of vulnerabilities and pinpoint root causes, thereby minimizing administrative burdens.
The shift towards more advanced cybersecurity platforms is enabling IT technicians to handle a greater number of incidents effectively. As identity becomes a key aspect of access control, organizations are adopting zero-trust principles and implementing AI-driven risk analysis and adaptive authentication. The ISG Buyers Guide research offers a full ranking and evaluation of 99 software providers and their products, focusing on enterprise identity, endpoint, data, and security operations protection.
Unified platforms for complex threats
“All aspects of cybersecurity now require more intelligence, applied faster and more consistently, to keep up with the volume and sophistication of threats,” said Doug Saylors, partner at ISG. “With AI and machine learning, leading software platforms are increasing the efficiency and productivity of security teams that need to balance coverage with cost.”
Enterprises are also adopting measures such as continuous data protection, immutable backups, and automated recovery validation to minimize the impact of ransomware. Moreover, identity and access management for employees is becoming an essential component of cybersecurity strategies. Many companies are addressing the growing number of non-human identities to secure applications, APIs, and AI agents on a large scale.
Organizations are increasingly evaluating cybersecurity platforms on their ability to operate across multiple domains. Providers that combine identity, policy enforcement, runtime control, and response and remediation to establish and maintain trust are best positioned to meet emerging enterprise security needs, according to Jeff Orr, director of Software Research, IT and Technologies at ISG.
