AI is fueling surge in data privacy investments: Cisco report

Cisco recently unveiled the results of its 2026 Data and Privacy Benchmark Study, showing a striking shift in how organizations approach data privacy and governance. As AI adoption accelerates, nearly all companies are expanding privacy programs and governance frameworks to protect their data and innovate at scale. The growing demand for high-quality data to power AI is exposing gaps in oversight, and raising the stakes for trust, security, and competitiveness. The bottom line: for organisations to succeed in the AI-era, scalable and responsible AI strategies must be built through a mature, integrated approach to privacy and data governance.

Cisco surveyed 5,200 IT, technology, and security professionals with data privacy responsibilities across 12 markets* worldwide. The study reveals AI as the primary catalyst, driving 90% of companies to report expanded privacy programs, with 93% planning further investment to keep up with the complexity of AI systems and ...