The Top Technology Trends for 2026
As we head into the new year, we’ve put together the key technology shifts, predications and trends we see shaping 2026 and what they actually mean for small to medium businesses.
AI-Native Development Platforms
AI native development platforms are set to be a huge trend in 2026. No longer just experimental tools, they’re becoming practical solutions that allow businesses to build internal applications, automate workflows, and adapt systems without large or highly skilled development teams.
For SMBs, this opens up new possibilities. Instead of your processes having to fit off the shelf software, you can create custom tools that match how your teams actually work.
However we’d expect to see more and more people falling into the trap of thinking that every problem needs an AI solution. The most successful businesses will be the ones that use these platforms with intent, focusing on real business value rather than chasing the latest trend.
AI Agents
We’ve already seen the rise of this in the second half of 2025 but AI agents aren’t going anywhere, this trend will only be growing more this year. AI agents represent the next step beyond basic automation. Rather than following simple prompts, they can understand objectives, work across systems, and take action with minimal human input.
In 2026, we expect to see a lot more practical use cases for SMBs emerge. AI agents can take on repetitive administrative tasks and manage routine workflows which frees employees to focus on and prioritise the areas of their work that can’t be replaced by AI, things like human judgement, creativity, and customer interaction.
The downside of AI agents is if the right controls aren’t in place. AI agents need clear boundaries, proper oversight, and strong security practices in place.
AI Powered Cyber Attacks
Unfortunately, the same AI capabilities helping businesses operate more efficiently are also being used by attackers. Cybercriminals are using AI to generate convincing phishing messages, automate reconnaissance, and adjust attacks in real time.
For SMBs, this significantly raises the stakes. Traditional, prevention only security approaches are struggling to keep up with threats that constantly evolve. As AI lowers the barrier for attackers, businesses need to assume incidents are more likely and plan for detection and response, not just prevention.
Managed Detection and Response Has Become a Necessity
As threats grow more sophisticated, managed detection and response (MDR) is quickly becoming more and more essential. MDR services provide continuous monitoring, advanced threat detection, and access to experienced security professionals who can respond when something goes wrong.
For SMBs, this delivers enterprise level protection without the cost and complexity of running an in house security operations team.
Choosing the right MDR partner and aligning it with your wider security strategy will be a key part of building resilience in 2026. If you want to know more about our MDR services at Advance Computer Services you can reach out to our expert team here.
Security is Becoming More Human Focused
Modern cyber threats are increasingly targeting people rather than systems. Phishing, impersonation, and social engineering attacks are harder to detect, even for experienced users.
That’s why human centred security is also taking centre stage. This approach focuses on behaviour, awareness, and culture. It’s about helping staff recognise suspicious activity, encouraging them to slow down and verify requests, and making security is everyone’s responsibility, not just IT’s.
SMBs that invest in training and foster open communication tend to be far more resilient when incidents occur.
SMBs are Looking Harder at the Value of Their IT Spend
With ongoing pressure on budgets, many SMBs are taking a closer look at what their IT investments are actually delivering and should be looking out for overlapping tools, unused licences, or platforms that no longer fit how the business operates.
Easy wins for your IT budget this year could be optimising cloud usage, consolidating your systems, and right sizing licences. The goal isn’t just cost cutting but to reallocate your IT budget for what really matters.
Preparing for 2026
Success in 2026 will come from combining the right technology with well trained people, smart spending, and expert guidance. For many organisations, working with a trusted IT partner helps turn complexity into clear, practical next steps.
If you’d like to explore how these trends could affect your technology and security strategy for 2026, our team are always happy to talk and share advice tailored to your business.