With 2025 soon in the rearview mirror, many of us begin to reflect. We think about how far we’ve come in a single year, express gratitude for the wins and those who helped us along the way, and perhaps ponder the lessons learned—as well as the takeaways for 2026.
Business planning is no different. For CIOs and technology leaders, preparing for a new year requires revisiting the challenges faced and the evolutions observed in 2025. What can we learn from? What’s worth carrying forward? And how can we better prepare for what’s ahead?
Though not all-encompassing, these are a few standout technology lessons our teams witnessed in 2025—and the proactive strategies we recommend for 2026.
The Biggest IT Lessons of 2025
- Invest not just in technology, but in security culture—training, governance, and behavior programs.
We’ve said it time and time again, and it always rings true: Your people are your first line of defense. With the continued rise of AI and countless other technological advancements that keep us chronically online, the world is slowly but surely recognizing how vital it is for all users to stay educated and proactive.
Your organization’s security cannot rest solely on an IT team, a single tool, or security software. Protect your company, assets, and people by fostering a security-conscious culture and empowering everyone to take ownership.
- Attackers don’t silo physical and cybersecurity, and neither should we.
For far too long, organizations have approached their physical security and cybersecurity strategies separately. Teams often work in isolation, and design alignment is minimal, if it happens at all. Naturally, threat actors exploit this. They target whichever path offers the least resistance—and both domains are doorways into the other.
It’s time for organizations of all sizes to build their security posture with this in mind. Every door, badge, sensor, and device is a part of the cybersecurity boundary—and every physical security device needs to be treated like a critical endpoint (because it is).
- The perimeter is obsolete; adopt a “never trust, always verify” posture and transition to a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA).
As the landscape evolves, so must we. Zero Trust Network Access, or a Zero Trust Architecture, grants users access based on their identity and context. It ensures users only reach the resources they’re authorized for, minimizing opportunities for lateral movement.
Without a Zero Trust model in place, all an attacker needs is initial access to move deeper into your network and wreak havoc. We’ve seen this scenario far too often, which is why our experts strongly recommend adopting a Zero Trust framework.
To read more about ZTA’s role in the evolution of VPNs and the shift toward Secure Service Edge (SSE), check out our HiPoBlog article: Secure Service Edge (SSE): A Smarter VPN Alternative.
- Learn to use AI as a tool to your benefit and advance with it.
Artificial intelligence: the broken record of 2025. Some are exhausted by it, and some can’t get enough of it. But wherever you fall, one truth remains—it’s not going anywhere.
As a technology company, we recognize AI’s place in our world and the benefits it can bring. AIOps— applying AI to IT operations—continued to rise in 2025. When implemented correctly, it can streamline workflows, improve visibility, and reduce manual effort.
High Point Networks Senior Systems Engineer and Solutions Architect Chris Watson reflects on the evolution of AI: “Clippy was AI back in the day…it’s been around for a while; it’s just gotten better. (AI) is helping me out throughout the day, but it’s not going to take over my job. It’s a built-in assistant.”
Implementation Engineer Brandon Trocke adds, “It’s not replacing your knowledge or your expertise. It’s a guide to help you find something a lot faster than you normally would be able to, but you still know what you’re looking for.”
Still many organizations learned a difficult lesson this year: AI alone isn’t viable. Success depends on alignment with business goals, clean data, and clear governance frameworks. The message remains—evolve and advance with AI, intentionally and responsibly.
- Physical security components are not stand-alone systems. Collaboration between customers and installers is crucial for a successful project.
One key aspect our security teams observed this year is how often the integration of physical security components with the existing low-voltage (LV) and electrical infrastructure is overlooked.
When physical security and subcontractor teams are unable to engage early—during the initial project stages—issues often stem from each team working off different designs or prints. This misalignment can then lead to significant problems, including incorrect placements for camera drops or cabling for access-control doors. When this happens, the physical security team may then need to redesign or re-scope the solution, causing delays and increase costs.
To avoid these complications, it’s vital to foster open communication and collaboration from the outset. Ensuring everyone aligns on designs and requirements streamlines the installation process supports a more effective security system that meets the customers’ needs.
A cohesive approach not only enhances project efficiency but also contributes to the overall success of the security implementation.
Five Proactive Strategies for 2026
To complement the lessons learned, here are a few quick strategies to keep in mind for 2026:
- Address your aging communication systems before they become a “lesson learned.” Neglecting them puts the organization at risk.
- Adopt Managed Detection and Response (MDR) if internal security resources are limited. MDR reduces tool sprawl, improves threat visibility, and strengthens resilience against evolving cyber threats.
- Build strong data foundations before implementing new technology solutions so you can extract the most value from your investments.
- Test, learn, scale—and stay agile. Avoid multi-year, rigid roadmaps. Prioritize modular IT strategies that allow your team to pivot quickly with new business requirements, cloud innovations, or AI integrations. Iterative releases, pilot programs, and adaptive governance help organizations move faster while reducing risk.
- Cyber threats are not static, so regularly test your defenses. Schedule routine network assessments and penetration tests to stay ahead of evolving threats. Every time you add a new tool or update an application, your threat landscape changes. Regular testing helps identify exploitable weaknesses, and skilled testers can validate that your firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other defenses are working as intended.
Welcome 2026 with Confidence
A new year always brings new opportunities. If your business could use support in exploring any of the strategies above, we’d love to help. Connect with a High Point Networks team member today—and happy new year.
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