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CompTIA: 5 Tech Trends Shaping EMEA’s IT Strategy in 2026: Insights from CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook

January 26, 2026 - CompTIA: Economic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty, and regulatory pressure will continue to shape the IT landscape in EMEA in 2026. CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook 2026  points to cautious optimism, but also to a clear shift: organizations are no longer chasing “digital” in the abstract; they’re demanding measurable business value.

For EMEA, with its diverse markets and strong regulatory environment, these five global trends, highlighted in the report, also stand out:

1. The AI push continues... along with the push for organizational value

AI is moving from pilot projects to embedded capability. According to the report, 94% of organizations are at least somewhat likely to invest in AI-specific training in 2026. In EMEA, where data protection and compliance are non-negotiable, AI initiatives will live or die on their ability to:

• Improve productivity and customer experience 

• Respect privacy and regulatory obligations 

• Integrate with existing workflows rather than sit in isolation 

That means AI fluency must extend beyond data scientists and developers to business leaders, legal/compliance teams, and frontline staff.

2. Cybersecurity expands its reach…and training evolves to keep up

Privacy concerns rank as the #1 driver of cybersecurity strategy, which strongly resonates in EMEA’s GDPR-centered environment. The report highlights expanded focus areas such as operational technology (OT) security, zero trust, and even preparing for postquantum cryptography.

Organizations can’t rely on niche experts alone. Training, internal programs, external courses, and industry certifications are becoming the primary mechanisms to:

• Scale security awareness across the workforce

• Develop deeper expertise in data security, risk management, and incident response

• Keep pace with new AI-driven threats and architectures

3. Businesses double down on data practices…building toward strategic objectives

Most firms do not consider themselves “highly capable” in core data disciplines such as governance, architecture, and mining. Yet data security and analytics rank among the strongest capabilities.

For EMEA companies, tightening regulatory requirements and a fragmented market make robust data practices a strategic imperative. The report shows firms prioritizing:

• Training for data specialists and the broader workforce

• Building dedicated data roles and governance policies

• Investments in data architecture and infrastructure

The message: without solid data foundations, neither AI nor regulatory compliance can scale.

4. Workforce pipelines become a focal point... as companies strive to translate skills to tasks

With 77% of respondents feeling good about their prospects, many are betting on people, not just platforms. Skills-based approaches are gaining traction as organizations try to map capabilities to tasks rather than just to job titles.

In EMEA’s highly competitive talent market, this means:

• Using technical support and early career roles as pipelines into infrastructure, software, data, and cybersecurity

• Combining internal training with industry-recognized certifications to validate and mobilize skills

• Balancing durable skills (communication, problem solving) with advanced technical and AI skills

5. Automation drives workflow renovation…with strong technical teams behind the effort

54% percent of companies report partially digitized workflows, with automation initiatives progressing in parallel. For many EMEA organizations, often operating across legacy, on-prem, and multi-cloud environments, automation is less about isolated tools and more about end-to-end workflow redesign.

The report underscores that success depends on:

• Strong technical teams that understand both systems and business processes

• High-quality data to feed automation and AI

• Change management to help employees adapt and add value alongside automated processes

In 2026, EMEA organizations that align AI, cybersecurity, data, skills, and automation around clear business outcomes will be best positioned to thrive.

CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook 2026 report examines the major trends that will drive technology and business strategy over the next twelve months. Education and evolution around tech components, along with deeper maturity in skills-based workforce approaches, will lead organizations toward their ultimate goals of automation and enhanced productivity.  

CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook study was conducted via a quantitative survey fielded online during October/November 2025. A total of 1,012 business and technology professionals in the United States completed the survey.

For full details and data behind these trends, download the CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2026  report.

CompTIA certification vouchers and training are available in UK through Simple IT Distribution LTD, CompTIA Partner in the UK.

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