Back to list
Abraxio’s “Panorama 2026” Barometer, conducted at the end of 2025 among its CIO customers, highlights a dual imperative for IT departments: to strengthen the security and resilience of information systems, and to accelerate digital transformation. AI, data, security, value management and alignment with business lines structure the year’s priorities, against a backdrop of budget constraints and heightened performance requirements.
A CIO that both protects and transforms
The Abraxio Barometer reveals two major priorities for CIOs. On the one hand, Cybersecurity, Manage project risks and resilience remain at the heart of concerns, confirming IT as a shield in the face of increasing threats and regulatory requirements. But Teams do not intend to be assigned only a defensive role: they also claim a role in accelerating business transformation and value creation.
Technology priorities: AI, workplace and hybrid cloud
By far the top technology investments for 2026 are AI and Automation, tracked by the digital workplace. While IS modernization (hybrid cloud, infrastructures, core IS) remains essential, it is never cited as an end goal, but as a foundation for transformation and performance. Key projects, but not an end in themselves.
In 2026, the challenge for AI is no longer experimentation, but scaling up: automation, business co-pilots, data exploitation and integration at the heart of the Systems integrator (SI). Data is a strategic prerequisite, with a clear need for governance and quality.
IT value steering becomes critical
Behind the trade-offs, the identified risks and the investment priorities lies the same concern: how to measure, prove and steer the business impact of IT? The difficulty of objectifying value, the demand for shared KPIs, and the requirements around ROI illustrate a deep-seated need: IT performance is judged by its contribution to the company’s results, and CIOs intend to structure their operational model and analysis capabilities to gain credibility and impact.
By transforming a major organizational irritant (lack of alignment and often conflicting arbitration) into a more mature and constructive contract, value management becomes a lever for improving relations with the business. In this way, the CIO can rely on shared KPIs to reinforce the trust and efficiency of collaboration with the business.
Purchasing and IT vendors under increased scrutiny
CIOs are reaffirming their determination to regain control of their supplier relationships: cost control and contract optimization top the list of expectations for 2026, closely followed by a dual requirement for enhanced performance on the one hand, and high compliance/security on the other. Together, these priorities point to a more proactive, costed and controlled approach to supplier relations.
Budgets under pressure: safety first and foremost
In a tense economic climate, CIOs’ priorities are clearly prioritized. Security, compliance and resilience are at the top of the list, to protect vital IS obligations. Next on the list are high-value business transformation projects, followed by infrastructure/cloud and AI/data modernization projects. CIOs are thus arbitrating between regulatory imperatives, modernization and financial pressures.
IT governance: towards ever greater alignment and transparency
Improved collaboration between the CIO and business units, and more detailed tracking of the Projects portfolio and its KPIs, are the main changes envisaged to strengthen steering and governance in 2026. CIOs are looking for greater transparency and objectivity, simplified decision-making circuits and more shared responsibility for arbitration.
“This Panorama 2026 confirms the reality of a dual role for CIOs. Unsurprisingly, Cybersecurity and risk management remain at the forefront: 2026 looks set to be a demanding year, with threats continuing unabated. At the same time, CIOs continue to drive forward business transformation, relying on AI, data and enhanced performance steering. Despite the constraints and high expectations, CIOs will be at the rendezvous, protective and innovative at the same time, to create value. It’s this maturity that shapes the CIO of 2026: an indispensable shield, but also a gas pedal for the company.”explains Samuel Revenu, CEO of Abraxio.
Resources
Further information
Press contact
Marjorie Gandon – 06 69 18 32 88 – marjorie.g@oxygen-rp.com