Why Global IT Spending Will Break Records in 2026

Global IT Spending 2026: The Big Picture 

By late 2025, one thing is crystal clear: IT is no longer a back-office function. It’s the operating system of the entire business. 

According to the latest worldwide IT spending forecast from Gartner, global IT spending 2026 is expected to hit around $6.08 trillion, up 9.8% from 2025 – the first time the market will cross the $6 trillion mark. Gartner+1 That follows a 2025 projection of roughly $5.4–$5.6 trillion in worldwide spend. Gartner+1 

In Europe, IT spend is forecast to reach about $1.4 trillion in 2026, growing more than 11% year-on-year – again underscoring how strong IT budget trends 2026 are, even with economic uncertainty. Gartner 

So the headline is simple: IT budgets are growing into 2026 because technology has become the backbone of day-to-day operations, security and growth.

Where 2026 IT Budgets Are Going 

The interesting part isn’t just that spending is rising, but where it’s going. When you dig into segment data and analyst commentary, a few themes dominate IT budget trends 2026.

1. AI Infrastructure Spending and Data Platforms 

Gartner and other analysts repeatedly point to AI infrastructure spending as one of the strongest drivers of growth. Gartner+1 

This includes: 

• AI-optimised servers and GPUs in data centres 

• High-performance storage and networking 

• Modern data platforms that can feed AI models clean, governed data 

In other words, organisations are refreshing infrastructure so they can actually run AI workloads safely and at scale, not just run proofs of concept on a laptop. 

2. Cloud Computing Budget 2026: Consolidation, Not Just Expansion 

The cloud computing budget 2026 story is less about “moving everything to the cloud at any cost” and more about consolidation and optimisation. 

Typical patterns we’re seeing: 

• Reducing overlapping SaaS tools across departments 

• Standardising on a smaller set of core platforms (e.g. Microsoft 365, a main CRM, a main ERP) 

• Re-architecting hybrid and multi-cloud environments to cut waste 

For SMBs, this often looks like asking: “Which of these 27 tools do we actually use?” and then working with an MSP to consolidate, secure and monitor what’s left. 

3. Cybersecurity Spending 2026: Risk and Resilience

Cybersecurity spending 2026 is growing faster than many other categories, and data breach numbers explain why. IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report found the global average breach cost hit around $4.88 million, the highest on record and roughly a 10% jump from 2023. IBM+1 

Boards and owners have realised that a serious breach isn’t just an IT problem – it’s downtime, lost customers, legal and regulatory pain, and reputational damage. 

So 2026 security budgets are flowing into: 

• Identity and access management 

• Endpoint protection and EDR/XDR 

• Backup and disaster recovery 

• Continuous monitoring and exposure management 

• Security awareness and governance around AI use 

For many SMBs, this is exactly where partnering with a security-focused MSP such as AI-Vigil MSP makes sense: they get enterprise-style controls without hiring an in-house security team. 

4. Managed IT Services Market Growth 

Alongside tools, managed IT services market growth is a big part of the 2026 story. Analyst breakdowns show IT services – especially managed and consulting services – remain one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of global spend. CRN+1 

The reason is simple: 

• The stack is more complex (cloud, hybrid, remote work, AI, compliance) 

• Talent is harder and more expensive to hire 

• Owners want predictable costs and outcomes 

So instead of building everything in-house, organisations are shifting more of their budget into long-term partnerships with MSPs who can design, secure and run their environments. 

If you look at how AI-Vigil MSP positions itself – as a managed IT and cybersecurity partner for SMBs in regulated industries – it’s exactly aligned with this managed IT services market growth trend. 

What 2026 IT Budget Trends Mean for SMBs 

If you run or lead an SMB, the global numbers can feel abstract. The reality on the ground is: 

• Your competitors are investing in automation that removes manual admin 

• They’re giving frontline staff better tools and real-time data 

• They’re tightening security and resilience while some businesses still rely on “good enough” defences 

You don’t need an enterprise-size cloud computing budget 2026 to keep up. Modern cloud, AI and managed services mean a 20-person company can now access capabilities that were “big corporate only” ten years ago. 

The challenge is focus. Every pound or dollar of IT spend should map to a clear outcome: 

• Faster response times or shorter lead times 

• Fewer outages and “all hands” fire drills 

• Lower risk of fines, data loss or ransomware 

• Better margins through automation and tool consolidation 

If you don’t have an internal CIO, treat your MSP as a strategic partner, not just a helpdesk. A provider like AI-Vigil MSP can translate IT budget trends 2026 into a simple 12–24 month roadmap instead of leaving you with a random pile of tools.

What 2026 IT Budget Trends Mean for MSPs and IT Providers 

For MSPs, the next 18–24 months are full of opportunity – but also full of noise. Every vendor is talking about AI, security and transformation. Clients are overwhelmed. 

Three key implications: 

1. Lead With Outcomes, Not Acronyms 

Tie your offers directly to the themes driving global IT spending 2026: 

• “Reduce cyber risk and downtime” (linked to rising cybersecurity spending 2026) 

• “Optimise your cloud and SaaS bill” (aligned with cloud computing budget 2026 consolidation) 

• “Make your business AI-ready” (anchored in AI infrastructure spending and controls around AI use) 

Talk about fewer incidents, better compliance posture, lower license spend and clearer visibility – not just product names. 

2. Verticalise Around Real-World Problems 

SMBs favour providers who speak their language. That’s why AI-Vigil has industry pages for healthcare, finance, logistics and more. CRN+1 

If you’re an MSP, shape your offers for specific industries and reflect that in your content: 

• “IT and security for clinics” 

• “Cyber-resilient IT for accounting and finance” 

• “Warehouse and logistics IT with real-time visibility”
  

3. Build Services Around Continuous Management 

The move from point-in-time projects to continuous services is only accelerating: 

• Continuous monitoring and exposure management (CTEM-style) 

• Ongoing license and cost optimisation 

• Regular strategy and roadmap reviews 

If you’re an MSP, this is where you can truly leverage managed IT services market growth – by packaging continuous care, not one-off fixes. Programmes like AI-Vigil’s MSP Growth Partner are designed to help providers structure and sell exactly these kinds of offers. 

Turning the Worldwide IT Spending Forecast Into a Roadmap 

To turn the 2026 worldwide IT spending forecast into something practical for your business, a simple approach works: 

1. Audit your 2025 spend 

Break it down into devices, cloud/SaaS, security, connectivity and services. 

1. Map spend to outcomes 

For each category, ask: what business outcome does this actually support? 

1. Identify 2–3 focus projects for 2026
   Typically: 

• – Security and backup uplift 

• – Cloud and license consolidation 

• – A first wave of AI-assisted workflows in support or back-office processes 

1. Review quarterly
   Book recurring reviews with your internal IT lead or an MSP like AI-Vigil MSP to keep the roadmap alive and adjust as your environment and the market change. 

Handled this way, you’re not just swept along by global IT spending 2026 headlines. You’re using those trends intentionally – to reduce risk, cut waste and build a more resilient, competitive business. 

FAQs – Global IT Spending 2026 

1. Why is global IT spending growing so fast going into 2026?

Because IT now underpins almost every business function – operations, finance, sales, customer service and security. New demand from AI, cloud services and cybersecurity is layered on top of existing needs, so even when the economy slows, IT stays a priority. (CIO Dive) 

2. Are SMBs actually increasing their IT budgets, or is growth only at enterprise level?

SMB surveys show real growth: around 40% of SMBs increased tech budgets from 2024 to 2025, and Salesforce reports 76% of SMBs are spending more on tech than last year. (gtia.org) 

3. Which IT areas should a small business prioritise for 2026?

Typically: cybersecurity and backup, core productivity and collaboration tools, and consolidation of overlapping SaaS. Once the basics are solid, you can explore AI use cases that automate repetitive work. 

4. How can an MSP align their services with 2026 spending trends?

Package services around outcomes like ransomware resilience, license and cloud spend optimisation, AI-ready infrastructure and continuous exposure management. Use vertical case studies to prove you can deliver. 

5. Where can I get help building an IT roadmap for 2026?

You can work with a strategic MSP such as AI-Vigil MSP which focuses on helping compliance-focused SMBs reduce risk, cut costs and modernise their stack with AI-assisted monitoring and support. (aivigilmsp.com)