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AI is driving 2026 cybersecurity budget growth, but proving its value is the real challenge — Get the Report.

From Adoption to Accountability:
The New Economics of AI in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity budgets are rising, driven by AI investment. But many security leaders cannot clearly prove the business value behind the spend. This global research reveals where confidence is growing and where justification is breaking down.

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GLOBAL REPORT

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Why cybersecurity funding is growing and how AI is reshaping where money is spent, with less focus on headcount and more on automation and analytics.

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Why security leaders feel confident in AI’s impact but struggle to translate security metrics into business language executives understand.

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How adoption and confidence levels vary by region, from aggressive deployment to cautious evaluation.

95% are increasing security budgets | From Adoption to Accountability: The New Economics of AI in Cybersecurity | Exabeam Research Report

A multinational survey of 750 security and IT decision-makers reveals:

95%
of organizations are increasing cybersecurity budgets in 2026
44%
state AI and automation are the top budget driver
87%
of security leaders believe their investments deliver value, but 30% struggle to explain that value to boards
92%
say AI is improving or will improve security operations by the end of 2026

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From Adoption to Accountability: The New Economics of AI in Cybersecurity

Discover how security leaders are navigating rapid AI adoption, rising budgets, and growing pressure to prove value. Learn what separates organizations that sustain AI investment from those that risk losing it.

Join the Webinar

Overview

Cybersecurity budgets are increasing, largely driven by investment in AI. At the same time, AI is often the first area questioned or cut when leaders cannot clearly explain its value. 

In this webinar, we will break down findings from a global study of 750 IT and security decision-makers across 12 countries to examine how organizations are funding AI in cybersecurity and why those investments face growing scrutiny. 

The New Economics of AI in Cybersecurity Webinar | 2026

In this session, you will learn: 

  • Why AI is the primary driver behind rising cybersecurity budgets heading into 2026 
  • Why those same AI investments are often the first to be reduced when budgets tighten 
  • Where security leaders see real improvements from AI and where confidence falls apart in executive conversations 
  • Why common security metrics fail to answer board-level questions 
  • How leading organizations are measuring value in ways that resonate with CFOs and boards 

This session focuses on practical takeaways, not theory. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to connect AI spending to risk reduction, operational efficiency, and measurable outcomes, so critical investments are easier to defend when accountability increases. 

Read the Report

Discover why security leaders struggle to justify AI spending and how to connect your investments to business value.

Download the report to learn:

  • Why 95% of organizations are increasing cybersecurity budgets
  • Why AI is both the top investment driver and the first on the chopping block
  • Where security leaders struggle most to justify AI spend to boards and CFOs
  • What metrics leaders need to defend AI investments long term
  • Where AI is already delivering results, from threat detection to workforce productivity

Award-winning leaders in security

  • InfoSec Innovator Awards 2024
  • CISO Choice Awards | 2022
  • CRN Security 100 | 2024
  • Futuriom 50 | 2024
  • Inc. 5000 | 2022