In 2026, CIOs continue to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing business environment. To manage the pace of technological advancement and market disruption, CIOs have to remain agile and adaptable in their strategies.
While balancing shifting priorities, technology leaders are at the forefront of driving AI, data, digital transformation, and risk management initiatives. Over the past few years, CIOs have taken the lead in championing AI adoption and investment, trying to unlock operational efficiencies and realize measurable benefits for their organizations.
Each year CIOs across Gartner C-level Communities share their critical priorities in our annual Leadership Perspective Survey of community members. Here is what nearly 1,000 CIOs report as their top priorities and challenges for 2026.
Top Priority for CIOs: Cybersecurity & Risk Management
For the third year running, “Cybersecurity and Risk Management” stands out as the number one focus area for CIOs. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, managing risks and safeguarding the organization is consistently cited as IT leaders’ primary area of concentration.
Security is Number One, but AI and Data Are Pivotal
After cybersecurity, CIOs cite “Operationalizing AI” and “Data and Analytics Strategy” as their two most critical focus areas. Data and analytics has been a consistent priority for CIOs, appearing in the top five priorities for the last three years.
This year, we introduced new survey responses to reflect the evolving priorities of CIOs, separating AI into two distinct priorities: “Operationalizing AI” targets IT leaders who are actively embedding AI into workflows and scaling initiatives, while “Developing an AI Strategy” addresses those who are setting the overall direction and identifying high-impact use cases within their organizations. “Operationalizing AI” moved into the second spot this year, indicating progress for CIOs and their organizations on the AI journey.
In addition, applications returned to the top five after one year in which it dropped a bit lower on the priority list, and evolving IT models and governance remains an important focus area for CIOs in 2026.
Top Spending Area: AI and Machine Learning
Two-thirds of CIOs plan to invest in AI and Machine Learning products and solutions this year. More than half of IT executives plan to allocate resources on data and analytics, and 45% on cybersecurity offerings. These investment plans closely align with CIOs’ top priorities identified in the survey.
Top Enterprise Priority: Increasing Efficiencies & Productivity
CIOs’ enterprise priorities remained nearly identical year over year with only one change: driving growth and increasing operational efficiencies and productivity swapped positions. Creating efficiencies continues to be a significant focus area, along with cost optimization. These priorities may be linked to the anticipation that AI will help CIOs unlock greater productivity for their organizations. Notably, CIOs continue to highlight revenue growth as a top enterprise priority, underscoring the increasing role of technology in generating business value.
Executives across Gartner C-level Communities participate in our proprietary Leadership Perspective Survey each year. The results enable us to create sessions and discussion topics that reflect their most critical priorities at community events. To join a local CIO Community, learn more and apply here. If you are already a member, sign in to the app to view upcoming events in your community.
Based on 990 CIO responses from Gartner C-level Communities’ proprietary Leadership Perspective Survey, March 2026.
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