• Nearly 80% of CISOs now list AI-driven solutions as a top priority for 2026, according to Glilot Capital.
  • Security budgets are being reallocated toward defense automation: detection, response, SOAR/XDR and ML-powered analytics.
  • Leaders warn of risks: skills gaps, overreliance on vendors, and the need for rigorous validation and governance.
  • Expect vendor consolidation, new managed-AI offerings, and an increased focus on human+AI workflows.

What Glilot Capital’s report found

Glilot Capital’s analysis shows a decisive shift in security spending: nearly four in five chief information security officers (CISOs) are prioritizing AI-driven tools to counter more sophisticated threats. That orientation isn’t limited to proof‑of‑concept pilots — it is reshaping 2026 budget plans, procurement priorities, and operational models across enterprises.

The report highlights defense automation as the central theme: automated threat detection, faster incident response, playbook orchestration (SOAR), and XDR platforms that fuse telemetry with machine learning. Security teams are moving away from purely human-dependent workflows and toward systems that can triage, prioritize, and in some cases remediate at machine speed.

Why CISOs are shifting budgets now

Threat sophistication and velocity

Adversaries are using automation and AI techniques themselves, increasing both the volume and subtlety of attacks. CISOs say they need systems that can match that scale and speed; manual processes are increasingly inadequate for early detection and containment.

Operational efficiency and workforce limits

Many security operations centers are chronically understaffed. Automation promises to reduce alert fatigue, accelerate investigations, and allow scarce analysts to focus on high‑value tasks. For many boards and CFOs, the case is now framed in productivity gains as much as risk reduction.

Risks and limits: why AI alone isn’t the answer

Glilot’s findings also underline important cautions. Rapid adoption creates new hazards: overreliance on opaque models, potential vendor lock‑in, and the risk of automating flawed playbooks at scale. The report stresses the need for validation, continuous tuning, and human oversight — especially for actions that directly affect production systems or customer data.

Skills shortages are another constraint. Organizations purchasing advanced AI tools without a plan for training, integration, and governance may see limited returns. Security leaders are therefore pairing tool investments with staff development and managed‑service partnerships.

What this means for vendors and security teams

Vendors should expect buyers to demand demonstrable telemetry, transparent model behavior, and strong integration capabilities. Managed offerings that combine vendor IP with experienced SOC teams will likely gain traction as organizations seek fast time‑to‑value.

For CISOs, the practical playbook is becoming clearer: prioritize use cases where automation reduces risk and manual toil, insist on measurable outcomes, and invest in the people and processes that validate AI outputs.

What to watch in 2026

Look for consolidation among niche AI security vendors, growth in managed-AI SOC services, and rising regulation or industry standards around model validation and incident automation. Organizations that balance ambitious automation with rigorous governance and skills development will emerge best positioned to defend against next‑generation threats.

Image Referance: https://securityboulevard.com/2026/02/ai-revolution-reshapes-ciso-spending-for-2026-security-leaders-prioritize-defense-automation/