Unitec IT Solutions highlights growing opportunities and emerging risks as businesses embrace Artificial Intelligence
Businesses across Ireland are being urged to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategically and securely as new research reveals AI adoption is accelerating faster than organisational governance, cybersecurity and risk management capabilities. Industry analysts report that AI has rapidly evolved from a technology experiment to a core business tool, driving productivity gains, automation and operational efficiencies across virtually every sector. At the same time, cybersecurity spending is forecast to outpace wider IT investment as organisations respond to increasingly sophisticated threats, evolving regulations and growing concerns around AI governance.
Recent research shows that 77% of organisations are already using generative AI within their security operations, demonstrating the speed at which AI technologies are becoming embedded within business environments. However, despite widespread adoption, only 37% of organisations have implemented formal AI governance policies, creating significant challenges around security, compliance and responsible use.
The findings also reveal that 73% of cybersecurity professionals have already encountered AI-powered threats, with cybercriminals increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to automate attacks, enhance phishing campaigns and create highly convincing social engineering scams.
Emma Lacy, Head of Marketing at Unitec IT Solutions, said: “AI is transforming the way businesses operate. We are seeing organisations use AI to increase productivity, improve customer service, automate routine tasks and unlock valuable business insights. However, many organisations are adopting these tools faster than they can establish the governance and security frameworks needed to manage them effectively.
The businesses achieving the greatest success are those taking a structured approach. They are identifying practical use cases, educating employees, implementing clear policies and ensuring cybersecurity is embedded from the outset. AI presents enormous opportunities, but organisations must ensure they have the right foundations in place to maximise value while mitigating risk.”
One of the fastest-growing concerns facing organisations is the emergence of Shadow AI — the use of public AI tools by employees without formal oversight or approval. Without clear governance, sensitive information, customer data and intellectual property may be exposed through unsanctioned AI platforms, creating new data protection and compliance challenges. Industry experts are increasingly warning that many organisations lack visibility into how AI tools are being used across their workforce.
At the same time, the rise of Agentic AI is creating new opportunities and new challenges. Unlike traditional AI assistants that simply answer questions, AI agents can independently carry out complex, multi-step tasks with minimal human intervention. Analysts have identified AI agents as one of the most significant technology trends shaping organisations in 2026, while also warning that organisations must establish robust governance, oversight and security controls to manage associated risks.
Ian Power Power, CEO of Unitec IT Solutions, believes organisations must focus on long-term strategy rather than short-term adoption.
“The speed of AI adoption is extraordinary. Industry data now shows that more than three-quarters of organisations are deploying generative AI technologies, yet fewer than four in ten have formal governance policies in place. That gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
AI is rapidly becoming one of the most significant business opportunities of our generation. However, successful adoption requires more than simply deploying new technology. Organisations need strong foundations in cybersecurity, governance, data management and employee awareness. Businesses that approach AI strategically and securely will be best positioned to improve productivity, strengthen resilience and gain a lasting competitive advantage.”
While AI creates significant opportunities, the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve at pace. Cybersecurity researchers report that attackers are increasingly targeting trusted business relationships, suppliers and third-party integrations to gain access to organisations. According to IBM's latest threat intelligence analysis, major supply chain and third-party compromises have quadrupled over the past five years, highlighting the growing risks associated with interconnected systems, cloud platforms and software dependencies.
AI itself is also changing the nature of cybercrime. Threat actors can now use AI-generated content to create highly personalised phishing emails, realistic voice cloning attacks and convincing deepfake impersonations designed to deceive employees and customers. Security professionals are warning that traditional awareness training alone may no longer be sufficient to combat these increasingly sophisticated attacks.
In response, organisations are shifting their focus towards cyber resilience — ensuring they can quickly detect, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. Industry experts suggest that recovery planning, business continuity, backup strategies and incident response frameworks are becoming just as important as preventative security controls.
The regulatory environment is also becoming increasingly complex. Gartner.com identifies global regulatory change, AI governance and growing executive accountability as key trends shaping cybersecurity strategies in 2026. Business leaders are being encouraged to align technology investments with governance, compliance and risk management objectives to ensure sustainable growth and resilience.
To help organisations navigate the evolving technology landscape, Unitec IT Solutions recommends focusing on three strategic priorities:
- Establish clear AI governance and acceptable use policies.
- Strengthen cybersecurity controls to address AI-enabled threats and emerging risks.
- Prioritise practical AI use cases that deliver measurable business outcomes and return on investment.
- Meet Unitec at one of their free Cyber security & AI events for advice and support www.unitec.ie/events
AI & Cybersecurity by the Numbers
- 77% of organisations now use generative AI within their security operations.
- 73% of cybersecurity professionals report experiencing AI-powered threats.
- Only 37% of organisations have formal AI governance policies in place.
- Major supply chain and third-party cyber incidents have quadrupled over the past five years.
- Cybersecurity spending is expected to outpace wider IT spending as organisations invest in resilience and AI-driven security capabilities.
Unitec IT Solutions is an award-winning Irish managed IT services provider delivering cybersecurity, cloud, communications and digital transformation solutions to organisations across Ireland. Acting as an extension of its clients’ teams, Unitec combines proactive support, strategic guidance and industry-leading technology partnerships to help businesses operate securely, efficiently and confidently in an increasingly digital world. For more information on Unitec including cyber security and AI solutions visit www.unitec.ie
