Global demand for cloud and AI security drives record spending

Global cybersecurity spending is set to hit $213 billion in 2025, according to research firm Gartner, driven by surging cyber threats, regulatory pressures, and the growing influence of AI.

The figure marks a steep rise from $193 billion in 2024, with spending expected to reach $240 billion in 2026. In the UK alone, end user spending is projected to rise 30% next year, reaching £10.3 billion.

The enterprise push to secure cloud-based environments, especially those involving AI workloads, is a major contributor to this increase. Spending on security software is expected to rise from $95 billion in 2024 to $121 billion by 2026.

According to Gartner’s Ruggero Contu, spending priorities will vary depending on each organisation’s level of cloud maturity and digital development stage.

Companies are also pouring resources into managed security services, driven by persistent talent shortages in cybersecurity. Spending in the category is forecast to climb from $77 billion to nearly $93 billion over the next two years.

Many organisations, lacking in-house expertise, are turning to third-party providers and managed detection and response services instead of building internal teams from scratch.

Advanced areas like cyber-physical systems security, particularly operational technology, are also expected to grow.

These environments demand both cybersecurity knowledge and a deep understanding of industrial systems. As organisations face increasingly complex threats, investment will likely rise sharply across multiple fronts.

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