Editor’s Note (Updated February 11, 2026): Reflects evolving cybersecurity threats, regulatory enforcement trends, and IT compliance priorities.

11. Ensuring Compliance with Data Privacy Regulations

Data privacy frameworks such as HIPAA, CCPA/CPRA, CMMC, and evolving state-level privacy laws require organizations to maintain strict administrative, technical, and physical safeguards around sensitive data. Enforcement activity and regulatory scrutiny continue to increase, particularly following breach events.

In 2026, maintaining compliance requires continuous monitoring, documented risk assessments, access governance, and audit-ready reporting — not just written policies. Automated compliance tracking and structured oversight are essential for organizations operating in regulated industries.

12. Managing the IT Compliance/Audit Process

Beyond individual regulations, managing the full IT compliance lifecycle — including assessments, remediation tracking, policy updates, and audit preparation — places significant strain on internal IT and security teams. Many organizations lack the bandwidth to manage documentation and benchmarking effectively.

Experienced vCISOs and compliance advisors can provide structured oversight, gap analysis, strategic guidance, and audit preparation support to reduce risk and improve defensibility.

“Smart Comply makes it easy for us to gather the information we need for compliance, allowing us to focus on larger goals while feeling confident in both our cybersecurity posture and reporting capabilities.” – Hector Lopez, VP of IT, AAA Central Penn

13. Securing Hybrid & Remote Workloads

As hybrid work becomes the norm, managing remote access, collaboration tools, and the security risks associated with distributed teams requires more than traditional VPN-based controls.

Organizations are increasingly adopting identity-first architectures such as SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) to unify networking and security, enforce consistent access controls, and reduce risk across remote, on-premises, and cloud environments. Without structured oversight, distributed workforces can introduce visibility gaps and unnecessary exposure.

14. The Growing Threat of Data Breaches

Data breaches remain one of the most costly and disruptive security events organizations face. In 2026, breaches frequently originate from phishing, compromised credentials, unpatched systems, or vendor exposure — not just perimeter-based attacks.

A layered cybersecurity strategy that includes encryption, endpoint detection and response (EDR), identity governance, and continuous threat monitoring is essential to reduce dwell time and limit impact.

“From round-the-clock monitoring to proactive guidance, Omega makes us feel more secure knowing their watchful eyes are protecting our environment.” – Kara Lennon, Cat Rock Capital

15. Insufficient IT Security Training for Employees

Human error continues to be a leading contributor to security incidents. Without structured, ongoing cybersecurity awareness training, employees remain vulnerable to phishing, credential harvesting, and social engineering tactics.

Regular simulations, targeted role-based training, and reinforcement of secure credential practices help reduce risk and build a stronger human firewall across the organization.

16. Challenges with Vendor Management

Organizations increasingly rely on third-party vendors, SaaS platforms, and cloud providers — expanding their attack surface and compliance obligations. Poor vendor oversight can introduce hidden risk and accountability gaps.

Consolidated IT management and structured vendor risk governance help reduce finger-pointing during incidents and ensure consistent security standards across external partners.

17. Failure to Keep Software Updated

Unpatched systems remain a common entry point for attackers. Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, reinforcing the urgency of upgrading legacy operating systems and infrastructure components.

In 2026, organizations must maintain disciplined patch management, vulnerability scanning, and lifecycle planning to prevent outdated software from becoming a security liability.

18. Managing Shadow IT Risks

Unauthorized software, SaaS applications, and AI tools — often adopted without IT oversight — create visibility and compliance challenges. Shadow IT expands the attack surface and increases the risk of data leakage.

Organizations need centralized visibility, identity controls, and policy enforcement mechanisms to monitor technology usage and reduce unsanctioned risk exposure.

19. Increasing Sophistication of Cyber Threats

Ransomware, AI-driven phishing campaigns, zero-day exploits, and credential-based attacks continue to evolve. Threat actors are targeting organizations of all sizes, often exploiting identity gaps and operational blind spots rather than technical flaws alone.

Reducing exposure requires proactive defense strategies, real-time monitoring, structured incident response planning, and continuous improvement of detection and response capabilities.

“We never want to be surprised by an unexpected cyber-attack or an auditor’s question, and that’s part of the reason we adopted Smart Guard. With MDR, we have 360-degree visibility of our security environment and a clear picture of everything that’s happening between the lines.” – Hector Lopez, VP of IT, AAA Central Penn