In a recent episode of Reimagining Cyber, hosted by OpenText Cybersecurity & IT Risk Management Business Strategist Rob Aragao, Momentum Cyber Founder and CEO Eric McAlpine breaks down what the 2026 Cybersecurity Almanac reveals about a market being fundamentally reshaped by AI, and what it means for vendors, investors, and security leaders navigating the shift.
Highlights from the Conversation
The numbers tell a striking story. 400 M&A transactions and $21 billion raised signal not just a busy market but one in the midst of a structural shift. Established platforms, hyperscalers, and software providers are all racing to close the gap between what AI-driven security demands and what existing architectures can deliver.
AI is the lens through which every cybersecurity investment decision is now being made. The Almanac’s new AI security category reflects how central that shift has become.
A new two-tier market is emerging, and the divide is widening. AI-native companies are attracting capital at a pace that legacy vendors simply cannot match, and investors are placing concentrated bets on experienced entrepreneurs who have been here before.
This is not a normal cycle. The super cycle we are in right now is being driven by AI in ways we have not seen before.
Give it a listen. Whether you are a CISO, investor, or builder, the Almanac is the map for navigating what comes next.
Links to the podcast: