In 2026, four trends are emerging that will shape our work, safety and technology. The world of risk is changing faster than ever before. Just a few years ago, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions or extreme weather events were considered largely separate crisis scenarios. Looking ahead to 2026, four trend developments are particularly clear: the increasing use of drones, the breakthrough of artificial intelligence in operational crisis management, the massive increase in climate-related risks and networked security. New technologies and complex security risks require forward-looking action and flexible solutions. At the same time, these developments offer opportunities to make processes more efficient and to reliably secure supply. In this article, we take a closer look at four relevant trends of 2026.
Trend I: Drones
Drones are evolving from a niche tool to a strategic resource. Whether for reconnaissance after natural disasters, for monitoring sensitive industrial plants or for rapid damage assessment in inaccessible areas, unmanned aerial systems promise a completely new quality of real-time information. At the same time, drones also pose risks. They can explore critical infrastructure, disrupt processes or be used for attacks. In recent months, drones have already caused disruptions and disruptions at European airports.
Therefore, operators of critical infrastructure should rely on multi-sensor detection with radar, radio and optical sensors as well as “soft-kill” methods such as signal interference to minimize drone risks and the resulting economic damage. Drones are true dual-use technologies. On the one hand, they facilitate operations and crisis management, but at the same time they also require new security strategies.
Trend II: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence will become a tool for critical infrastructures in 2026. AI can detect faults before they lead to failures, evaluate sensor data, create AI-supported early warning systems and situation pictures in real time. This makes it easier to plan maintenance and deployments and use resources more efficiently. At the same time, the dependence on data-driven systems is growing and with it the vulnerability to manipulation, wrong decisions and systemic failures. Artificial intelligence must be used responsibly. Humans must continue to make the final decisions (“human-in-the-loop”) and systems should be protected from manipulation. Misinformation or deepfakes also pose new challenges for operators.
Trend III: Climate risks
Extreme weather events, heat waves, floods and prolonged droughts will continue to increase in frequency and intensity. What used to be considered an “exceptional event” is increasingly becoming the new normal. For the BCM, this means that physical site risks, energy security and the stability of global supply chains must be completely reassessed. Climate risks have long since ceased to be just an issue for sustainability experts, but a central factor for the viability of companies. Operators have to react quickly and make decisions, because extreme weather events are increasing more and more.
Virtual replicas help to simulate scenarios. Microgrids and mobile systems provide protection in the event of partial failures. Climate adaptation is no longer an option in 2026, but a necessity in order to reliably protect assets and the people who depend on them.
Trend IV: Networked security
Physical and digital security are growing ever closer together. Drones, sensors and AI together “see” what is happening and provide a clear picture to those responsible. Data from IT systems, operations and crisis management are brought together in interdisciplinary situation centres. As a result, teams can make faster and more targeted decisions.
Result
For the year 2026, foresight, networking and a sense of responsibility are required.
Critical infrastructures are at a turning point. Drones, artificial intelligence and climate risks are changing not only technologies, but also ways of working and responsibilities. Anyone who protects or operates infrastructure needs robust systems today more than ever. What is needed are flexible processes, reliable data and the ability to consider physical and digital security together.
Companies and operators who invest early, react appropriately and use new technologies responsibly will gain a real head start. In 2026, resilience will become a decisive competitive factor and the basis for ensuring that our society remains stable even in uncertain times. Against this backdrop, crisis and business continuity management is at a turning point. The key question is no longer whether a crisis will occur, but when and in what combination of technological, environmental and security factors. Anyone who wants to remain capable of acting in 2026 must understand these developments today, classify them strategically and systematically integrate them into their BCM and crisis structures.
