State of Threat Management 2026
Exploring the shift towards intelligence-led Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), market readiness and what it means for the future of proactive cyber defense.
More tools, more data, more visibility. Still at risk.
Based on a survey of more than 550 cybersecurity leaders and practitioners worldwide, this report reveals why security teams, despite having unprecedented visibility and access to tooling, still struggle to identify, validate, and prioritize the risks that matter most.
What’s inside
The report findings explore key industry trends related to exposure management, highlighting the gap between risk awareness and effective action.
The Exposure Gap
Access to new tools and data has not made threat management any easier. In fact, understanding cyber risk exposure has become significantly more complex.
The Prioritization Bottleneck
Visibility isn’t the problem anymore. Without integrated, intelligence-driven workflows, security teams struggle to distinguish critical exposure from background noise.
Readiness from Validation
Rapid changes in the threat landscape require adaptation: point-in-time testing is no match for a continuously changing environment.
The Future of Risk Management
Exposure management is no longer a static function. AI and automation are non-negotiable, but most organizations are still lagging behind.
About the research
A global quantitative survey conducted in 2026, gathering insights from 550 security decision-makers and practitioners with experience in exposure management processes, all working at organizations with 1,000+ employees. Participants spanned 9 regions and 9 sectors, with particular focus on financial services, technology, and government/public sector organizations.
Research conducted by Vanson Bourne, an independent technology market research specialist.