KuppingerCole Analysts has released two new Research Compasses outlining its 2026 research agenda for Identity & Access Management (IAM) and the broader cybersecurity market. Published at a time of accelerating architectural change and regulatory enforcement, the reports are designed to support organizations navigating increasing complexity in identity and security strategies while planning technology evaluations and investments for the year ahead.
The Research Compass Cybersecurity 2026 examines a global market undergoing a structural shift toward autonomy, consolidation, and proactive defense. The report highlights the transition from generative AI to agentic AI systems that increasingly act as autonomous contributors within Security Operations Centers (SOCs), reshaping how detection, investigation, and response are performed. At the same time, organizations are rationalizing fragmented security stacks, replacing legacy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools with integrated platforms such as eXtended Detection and Response (XDR) and Cloud Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP). Regulatory enforcement, driven by frameworks such as NIS2, the EU Data Act, and emerging post-quantum requirements, is further accelerating demand for sovereign infrastructure, cryptographic agility, and high-fidelity security telemetry.
In parallel, the Research Compass Identity & Access Management 2026 reflects a fundamental transformation of identity architectures. Traditional monolithic IAM platforms are giving way to modular Identity Fabrics that enable orchestration across workforce, consumer, partner, and non-human identities (NHIs). The report highlights the rapid growth of non-human identities driven by cloud workloads, APIs, and AI agents, alongside the increasing importance of adaptive, policy-based access decisions under Zero Trust models. It also addresses the growing influence of European regulations such as NIS2, DORA, and eIDAS 2.0 on global identity strategies, as well as emerging developments in decentralized identity and the mainstream adoption of passwordless authentication.
Both Research Compasses are designed to provide CISOs, security leaders, technology decision-makers, vendors, and investors with early visibility into how these market shifts will shape technology evaluation and procurement decisions throughout 2026. Rather than offering point-in-time market snapshots, the reports connect observed market dynamics with a forward-looking view of upcoming research priorities.
At the core of both publications is the Leadership Compass framework, KuppingerCole’s established methodology for independent vendor evaluation. Leadership Compass reports deliver structured market definitions, standardized evaluation criteria, and comparative vendor analysis to support technology selection, shortlisting, and procurement decisions. The Research Compasses explain not only what will be evaluated in 2026, but also how and why specific topics have been selected, reflecting market maturity, regulatory drivers, client demand, and architectural change.
Each Research Compass includes an overview of the planned Leadership Compass research calendar for 2026, covering key cybersecurity topics, with a deeper focus on IAM and AI-driven security solutions. The calendars are intended as planning tools to help organizations align internal roadmaps, evaluation cycles, and budget planning with expected research milestones.
Full topic coverage and expected publication timing are detailed within the respective Research Compass documents.
About KuppingerCole Analysts
KuppingerCole Analysts is an independent, global analyst firm specializing in identity and access management (IAM), cybersecurity, and governance. Through vendor-neutral research, expert advisory services, and events such as the European Identity and Cloud Conference and Impact Days, KuppingerCole helps organizations turn complexity into clarity in the digital age.
