Rocket Software’s new report highlights rising pressure on enterprise IT organisations
Rocket Software, a global technology leader in modernisation, today released new research on the growing challenges facing IT leaders as enterprises accelerate modernisation and integrate AI across hybrid environments. The research finds that data security now leads all modernisation concerns, with nearly seven in ten IT leaders citing it as their biggest source of pressure.
Data security emerges as the defining modernisation challenge
Technology is evolving so quickly that many IT organisations are under growing pressure to keep security and modernisation aligned. Security has become a defining factor in whether transformation succeeds, as expanding data environments across core systems and the cloud introduce new risks that many organisations are still grappling with.
At the same time, AI is both a strategic priority and a source of strain, with uncertainty around infrastructure readiness slowing adoption, especially since only one-quarter of IT leaders feel extremely confident their systems can support AI workloads.
“Enterprises are moving quickly to take advantage of AI and automation, while at the same time facing increased security expectations and more complex hybrid environments,” said Michael Curry, president of the data modernisation business unit at Rocket Software.“This research makes it clear that IT leaders need integrated, secure ways to connect data and applications across core systems and the cloud. Strengthening these foundations is essential to driving innovation and ensuring organisations can rely on their technology with confidence.”
Key concerns from IT leaders:
Data security is the top modernisation concern for enterprise IT leaders
- 69% of IT leaders cite data security as their top modernisation concern
- IT leaders most often rely on AI-driven monitoring tools, access control, and data governance to secure infrastructure
- Fewer than one-third report extreme confidence in passing their next regulatory audit.
- While 78% say they are confident in detecting insider threats, only 24% report complete confidence
Hybrid IT complexity slows modernisation across cloud and on-premises environments
- 51% of respondents say bridging cloud and on-premises environments is difficult
- Data quality is the biggest obstacle to managing workloads across hybrid ecosystems
- Additional challenges include access control at 52%, secure data movement at 50%, governance consistency at 46%, and rising storage costs at 45%
Skills shortages increase operational risk in enterprise IT organisations
- 48% of organisations still rely on older systems for critical operations
- Only 35% of IT leaders believe their teams have the skills required to support these systems
- 52% say it is difficult to find personnel trained on these systems, increasing the need for workforce reskilling
AI adoption is accelerating while infrastructure readiness lags
- IT leaders expect AI to have the greatest impact on security and fraud detection at 31%, internal process optimisation at 29%, and customer experience at 22%
- Only 25% of IT leaders report being extremely confident their infrastructure can support AI workloads today
- 66% identify data accessibility for AI as the top concern shaping future modernisation efforts
Enterprise IT modernisation priorities for the next 12 months
- Improving data security, as 69% of IT leaders continue to cite it as their top concern
- Supporting AI initiatives, driven by infrastructure readiness gaps
- Strengthening data availability, with 66% identifying data accessibility for AI as a critical challenge
FAQ:
1. Why are 69% of IT leaders more concerned about data security in 2026?
According to Rocket Software’s new research, data security is now the #1 modernisation concern, with 69% of IT leaders saying it causes the most pressure. As organisations expand data across hybrid environments—core systems, cloud, and AI pipelines—attack surfaces increase. Many enterprises lack confidence in passing audits, managing insider threats, and ensuring consistent governance across systems, which intensifies security concerns.
2. What modernisation challenges are enterprise IT teams facing across hybrid cloud environments?
IT leaders report that bridging on‑premises and cloud systems remains difficult, with 51% citing hybrid complexity as a major barrier. Key obstacles include:
- Data quality issues (62%)
- Access control (52%)
- Secure data movement (50%)
- Governance consistency (46%)
- Rising storage costs (45%)
These challenges slow modernisation and increase risk across distributed environments.
3. How prepared are organisations to adopt AI, and what’s holding them back?
AI is a top priority for enterprises, especially in security, fraud detection, process optimisation, and customer experience. However, only 25% of IT leaders are extremely confident their infrastructure can support AI workloads today. The biggest blocker? Data accessibility, with 66% of leaders saying access to high‑quality, connected data is the primary modernisation priority shaping future AI initiatives.
4. How are skills shortages affecting modernisation and operational risk?
Many enterprises still depend on older or legacy systems—48% rely on them for critical operations—but only 35% of IT leaders believe their teams have the skills required to support these systems. Another 52% say it’s difficult to find trained personnel, increasing operational risk and reinforcing the need for reskilling and workforce development.
5. What are the top IT modernisation priorities for the next 12 months?
IT leaders are focused on:
- Improving data security, driven by rising threats and audit readiness challenges
- Supporting AI adoption, which depends on modern, scalable, secure infrastructure
- Strengthening data availability, especially improving data accessibility for AI and analytics workloads
Methodology
Rocket Software partnered with Researchscape to survey 276 IT directors and vice presidents at organisations with more than 1,000 employees across the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany. The survey was conducted between October 8 and October 27, 2025.
To learn more visit www.RocketSoftware.com.
