{"id":54077,"date":"2025-12-30T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/?p=54077"},"modified":"2025-12-18T14:58:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:58:26","slug":"ai-agents-and-identity-security-rise-up-the-agenda-as-leaders-map-2026-tech-priorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/2025\/12\/30\/ai-agents-and-identity-security-rise-up-the-agenda-as-leaders-map-2026-tech-priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"AI agents and identity security rise up the agenda as leaders map 2026 tech priorities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Executives from Rubrik, F5, Infoblox, Snowflake and others outline 2026 trends spanning AI agent security, quantum readiness, supply chains, synthetic data and resilience.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Rajkovic, Regional Vice President A\/NZ, Rubrik<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI agents are a force multiplier but that force cuts both ways. Our Rubrik Zero Labs research found that 98% of Australian security leaders cite identity-driven attacks as their top concern. With 99% already integrating or planning to integrate AI into identity systems, the stakes have never been higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A compromised agent can unleash ten times the damage in one-tenth of the time. Securing AI agent identities and access controls is critical. We\u2019ve already seen the impact compromised human identities can have and its clear agentic identities will be the next battleground in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Win, Founder and CEO, Middlebank Consulting Group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply chain teams are facing one of the most unpredictable periods in recent years. Trade flows are shifting, new technologies are emerging and customers expect faster, more transparent service. Companies that thrive won\u2019t just react, they will experiment, adapt and sometimes learn the hard way when assumptions don\u2019t hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight key technology trends for supply chains in 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Smarter operations with AI
<\/strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving beyond suggestions; it can act independently in many operational scenarios. Agentic AI systems adjust delivery routes, manage inventory and flag potential bottlenecks with minimal human intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    But here\u2019s the catch: these tools are not flawless. Organisations that combine AI insights with practical operational monitoring are expected to see faster, more informed decision-making and improved agility in complex supply chain scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Warehouse efficiency and automation
    <\/strong>Warehouses are evolving rapidly. Digital twins allow teams to model changes before implementing them and autonomous robots take over repetitive tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That said, people remain essential. Warehouse teams uncover process gaps by questioning automated recommendations and testing tweaks on the ground. Together, this hybrid approach of human intuition and machine efficiency is expected to enhance accuracy, reduce errors and improve overall warehouse performance in the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Choosing logistics partners
    <\/strong>Selecting the right third- or fourth-party logistics partner will be critical. Experience, technology and flexibility matter but the real differentiator will be how partners respond under pressure. Open communication and adaptability are expected to strengthen operational continuity and support more seamless responses to evolving demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. E-commerce cost optimisation
    <\/strong>Cost reduction is one thing; frictionless customer experience is another. Simple changes like adjusting packaging sizes or optimising pick routes can have ripple effects through operations. These changes are expected to improve both speed and reliability, helping organisations maintain profitability and enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Flexible networks<\/strong>
    Dual sourcing, nearshoring and modular supply chains are no longer optional. Disruptions are inevitable and the ability to pivot quickly can make the difference between maintaining client trust or losing it. Organisations that prioritise adaptive processes and continuous learning are predicted to strengthen client trust and operational continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Sustainability and circular supply chains<\/strong>
    Sustainability has moved from a nice-to-have to a must-have. Reducing emissions, cutting energy use and limiting packaging waste are increasingly tied to performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Practical improvements arise from simple steps: smarter routing, greener packaging and energy-conscious facilities. While no single initiative is transformative alone, collectively they will support sustainable and cost-effective supply chain practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Workforce enablement<\/strong>
    AI frees teams from repetitive work, allowing them to focus on decisions, coordination and process improvement. When technology is leveraged as a supportive tool, organisations are likely to see higher engagement, faster problem-solving and enhanced operational insights that machines alone cannot produce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8. Transportation and last-mile optimisation<\/strong>
    Dynamic routing, real-time tracking and close collaboration with carriers are transforming delivery. But technology alone is not enough. Human oversight, adjusting plans on the fly and responding to unexpected issues, will remain crucial, especially in complex last-mile scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This combination of technology and on-the-ground decision-making is expected to improve delivery speed and customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jason Baden, Regional VP, A\/NZ, F5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In 2025, Quantum computing feels less and less like science fiction than it did in 2024. In 2026, we\u2019ll see it viewed as a \u2018here and now\u2019 security concern. Organisations across finance, defence, government and more will begin to take post-quantum cryptography seriously, quietly introducing it into long-term data protection plans in a way that combines today\u2019s standard with quantum-safe algorithms, ensuring that sensitive information stays secure even as computing power evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In parallel, early commercial applications of quantum computing will start to take shape as organisations experiment with quantum simulators available through major cloud providers and while most of these experimentations will be small and specialised, it will mark a clear shift from curiosity to capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By the end of 2026, business and IT leaders will be expected to understand what ‘quantum readiness’ means for their organisations, much as they once had to learn the language of zero trust or cloud migration. The companies that prepare early will find themselves in a stronger position to manage risk, protect data and reassure customers they are ready for what comes next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cybersecurity will continue to evolve from a defensive perimeter into a living, adapting system. By 2026, organisations will expect their defences to anticipate and respond to threats in real time, guided by machine learning models that study behaviour rather than static signatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The focus will move from preventing every possible attack to detecting anomalies quicky and isolating them before they cause harm. Security controls will also become more tightly woven into the fabric of computing. Instead of existing as separate layers or tools, they will be baked in from the ground up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Transparency will be critical. Boards and regulators will demand proof that security decisions are explainable and traceable, not just effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2026 will see resilience become the new innovation. Technology investment will be judged less by how ambitious it is and more by how reliable it is. Companies will divert greater effort and resources into strengthening their infrastructure, reducing energy use and ensuring business continuity through any disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The language of growth will shift from \u2018scale at any cost\u2019 to \u2018operate with total confidence\u2019. 2026 will see progress measured not only in speed but in steadiness and the ability to deliver value without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vinayak Sreedhar, Country Manager A\/NZ,  ManageEngine:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019re beginning to see AI move beyond passive support roles to taking on increasingly active, autonomous functions in IT and business operations. 2026 will see this trend grow as next-generation AI systems, those able to reason, plan and execute tasks, will drive innovation and streamline operations for businesses across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As these capabilities become more widespread, it will be critical to ensure that access to these tools is not limited to larger enterprise organisations. Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) form the economic backbone of Australia and as such, equitable access to the same AI-driven efficiencies will be essential for national productivity, resilience and competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Small and mid-sized businesses are no longer just adopters of technology. They\u2019re becoming true drivers of innovation. We\u2019ll see more SMBs using AI tools to deliver the same quality of operational efficiency as much larger organisations while maintaining the level of personalised customer experience SMBs are known for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The challenge for 2026 will be bridging the gap in access. Ensuring smaller organisations have the right support, training and affordable technology pathways to modernise securely<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2026 will see regulation drive a new wave of convergence across IT and security. As compliance frameworks tighten, particularly around data protection, resilience and identity management, the traditional divide between IT operations and cybersecurity will continue to close. Organisations will consolidate tools and teams to improve visibility, strengthen accountability and simplify processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The result will be leaner, better-connected digital environments where governance and security are built into every layer of operations rather than treated as separate functions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scott Morris, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Infoblox<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AI will encourage cybercriminals to pioneer new creative ways to use classic techniques, in an attempt to evade detection. However, these new methods may have the adverse effect of exposing previously unknown intrusions, exposing longer-term threat campaigns by nation-state actors lurking in the networks. This may expose geopolitically driven activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As cyberthreats continue to threaten Australian citizens and critical infrastructure, the government will constantly assess the SOCI Act and the Australian Cybersecurity Strategy to look for robust ways to improve legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Recent warnings from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation chief Mike Burgess detailed how nation-state actors are constantly trying to infiltrate critical infrastructure networks including water supply, energy networks and telecommunications. However, tighter regulation will likely become a balancing act, weighing up responsibility between critical infrastructure organisations and government provided services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Australia will start to adopt preventative measures learnt from geopolitical situations across the globe. For example, the success of using protective DNS to reduce financial cybercrime in the Ukraine will encourage Australian organisations to use similar strategies, blocking access to malicious domains, preventing cybercriminals from carrying out their attacks at the infrastructure level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “The success of protective DNS in Ukraine highlights its potential as a valuable tool in Australia as the fight against cyber threats grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Peter Lees, Head of Solution Architecture in Asia-Pacific, SUSE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Resiliency as not just an IT choice but foundational for success.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Resilience begins with freedom of choice. The rise of digital sovereignty regulations, particularly with the precedent that is emerging from the EU, means APAC businesses must carefully and proactively consider how to maintain control over their data and technology platforms from the outset, instead of reacting to being locked in when it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On top of the ethical considerations, there is a pragmatic one too: of governance and cost control. Choosing flexible, open options prevents organisations from being locked into enormous migration costs or becoming vulnerable to huge price increases from a single vendor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AI is a shapeshifter. Success depends on enterprise ability to keep up

    <\/strong>AI-assisted infrastructure is rapidly becoming a reality, managing complexity through simple, natural language commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Enterprises should aim to strategically build infrastructure systems that are context-aware, secure by design and integrated with intelligent management. Crucially, AI tools must be adaptive and aligned with business goals, ensuring that natural language, policy and automation work together securely under human supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this rapidly-changing sector where new developments can make dramatic changes in a short period, choosing the right open source approach allows organisations to maintain platform flexibility, ensuring that infrastructure is agile enough to adopt the best, most trustworthy innovations while upholding strict governance, privacy and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Theo Hourmouzis, Senior Vice President ANZ and ASEAN, Snowflake<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prediction: data bottlenecks to be broken thanks to synthetic data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As AI model training continues, soon we\u2019ll see a shift from historical data to synthetic data, generated data that mimics real-world information and scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The research bears this out with the synthetic data generation market in Australia alone predicted to grow from just US$4m in 2023 to US$36.9 million by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But why synthetic data and why now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As organisations ramp up AI or ML model workloads, a data bottleneck is emerging, effectively a lack of labelled data, privacy restrictions and domain-specific gaps, that is becoming a real constraint on AI strategies. Synthetic data can augment training datasets, anonymise sensitive information and thus accelerate model development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a result, enterprises will increasingly generate synthetic copies of real-world datasets, simulate customer journeys or model various scenarios rather than relying solely on historical data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But it\u2019s not without risk. Organisations need to ensure synthetic data is an accurate representation of a real-world scenario and can scale effectively to meet growing data demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Importantly, it must integrate seamlessly with existing data pipelines and systems. If not, recent research found that by 2027, 60% of organisations will face critical failures in managing their synthetic data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keith Payne, Regional Vice President APAC, Nintex<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This year we\u2019ve seen AI capture the imaginations of business leaders like no other technology before it. While AI pilot programs and experiments have generated a buzz in 2025, 2026 is the year these projects will need to generate value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “As organisations turn their attention to operationalising their initial forays into AI, many will realise that their existing processes and workflows are unsuitable to having AI bolted on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One trend we\u2019ll see emerge next year is the understanding that before AI can deliver value to the business, existing processes will need to first be automated and optimised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AI is a force multiplier. If the processes AI is applied to are already broken or inefficient, those problems don\u2019t go away, they get magnified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “Ultimately, using AI and automation together is a case of 1+1=3. AI alone may create individual productivity gains but it takes automation to make it scalable, governable and deliver true value.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    David Irecki, CTO of APJ, Boomi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The verticalisation of agentic AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In 2026, the agentic AI revolution will shift from experimentation to specialisation. Across Asia Pacific and Japan, governments and industries will accelerate the creation of sovereign and sector-specific AI ecosystems, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and finance, each trained on contextual, localised data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This marks a new competitive era where success depends not on having the biggest AI model but the most contextually intelligent one. The next wave of differentiation will come from AI systems that understand local language, regulation and nuance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As these national and industry ecosystems multiply, Modern iPaaS will become the critical connective layer linking sovereign platforms, legacy systems and agentic environments without compromising governance or compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Integration is no longer a technical challenge; it\u2019s a strategic capability. Organisations that can seamlessly connect data, systems and AI agents across sovereign and sector boundaries will define the next phase of digital progress in APJ. Interoperability will be the true measure of competitiveness in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The infiltration of everyday AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In 2026, AI will no longer be a project or an experiment. It will become part of the enterprise fabric. Rather than arriving with a \u2018big bang\u2019, AI will quietly embed itself into existing workflows, managing supplier negotiations, financial operations, customer engagement and employee assistance behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is the era of Agentic Automation, where intelligent agents not only execute repetitive tasks but also reason, decide and act autonomously within governed boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The result is a new kind of enterprise efficiency, where automation becomes adaptive and continuous. Modern iPaaS platforms will underpin this shift, integrating AI agents directly into ERP, CRM and supply chain systems where real work happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The organisations that lead will be those that balance automation speed with transparency and oversight, embedding observability and governance into every connection. Across APJ, 2026 will mark the moment when AI stops being something separate and starts being everywhere, invisible, intelligent and indispensable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lindsay Zwart, EVP and GM of Pax8 APAC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019re going to see MSPs transition into Managed Intelligence Providers. Or trusted advisors who help small and medium-sized businesses harness AI and automation to deliver measurable business outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This shift won\u2019t be defined just by tools but by mindset. MSPs that move beyond system maintenance and embrace data-driven, outcome-based models will lead the next wave of Digital Transformation across the SMB sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MSPs and technology partners will shift from selling products and features to delivering intelligence-lead business results. Success will be tied directly to outcomes like cost reduction, performance and efficiency gains and customer satisfaction, not just system uptime or toolsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This evolution will drive a new level of transparency and accountability across the industry, where value will be proven through data, not promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The concept of \u201chiring\u201d digital agents will move from pilot phase to mainstream. We\u2019re moving from simple voice assistants handling customer calls to truly agentic AI systems, autonomous, context-aware agents that actively drive outcomes across SMB operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will democratise access to enterprise-grade capability and enable MSPs to deliver automation at scale, without enterprise-level complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As these agents become more specialised, service providers will shift towards curating and orchestrating digital workforces rather than simply deploying tools. To support this shift, MSPs will need clear frameworks, trusted guidance and outcome-focused service models that help them turn automation into reliable, measurable value for their customers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Deepak Ramanathan, Vice President, Global Technology Practice, SAS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2026 will be the year ASEAN’s AI enthusiasm meets its audit. The era of unchecked pilots and “shadow AI” is ending as boards and regulators start demanding visible, explainable systems with measurable business value. The EU\u2019s AI Act may not yet apply here, but its ripple effects certainly will. Multinational firms operating in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia will be held to global compliance standards, and those who can prove model lineage and governance will win trust, contracts, and capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ASEAN’s strength will be its pragmatism. As regional data sovereignty frameworks mature, we’ll see the rise of sovereign AI ecosystems – solutions that are trained locally, governed locally, and above all, deployed responsibly. In a region defined by diversity, governance becomes not bureaucracy, but a competitive advantage. The new frontier is trustworthy AI at scale i.e. AI that can improve AI governance and support model trust and transparency. Unlike the years before it, 2026 won’t reward speed; it will reward credibility. And the Southeast Asian enterprises that endure will be those that treat AI accountability as a boardroom discipline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Executives from Rubrik, F5, Infoblox, Snowflake and others outline 2026 trends spanning AI agent security, quantum readiness, supply chains, synthetic data and resilience. David Rajkovic, Regional Vice President A\/NZ, Rubrik AI agents are a force multiplier but that force cuts both ways. Our Rubrik Zero Labs research found that 98% of Australian security leaders cite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":54078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1463,12,22,44],"tags":[1108,7870,76,404,79,174,192,6551,2059,77,6383,2392,2394,9346],"class_list":["post-54077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apac","category-cloud","category-industry-verticals-government","category-top-stories","tag-ai","tag-ai-agents","tag-australia","tag-automation","tag-cloud","tag-cybersecurity","tag-digital-transformation","tag-identity-security","tag-msps","tag-new-zealand","tag-post-quantum-cryptography","tag-quantum-computing","tag-supply-chain","tag-synthetic-data"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54077"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54099,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54077\/revisions\/54099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}