Rocket Software released new research on the growing challenges facing IT leaders as enterprises accelerate modernization and integrate AI across hybrid environments. The research finds that data security now leads all modernization concerns, with nearly seven in ten IT leaders citing it as their biggest source of pressure.
Data Security Emerges as the Defining Modernization Challenge
Technology is evolving so quickly that many IT organizations are under growing pressure to keep security and modernization aligned. Security has become a defining factor in whether transformation succeeds, as expanding data environments across core systems and the cloud introduce new risks that many organizations are still grappling with.
At the same time, AI is both a strategic priority and a source of strain, with uncertainty around infrastructure readiness slowing adoption, especially since only one-quarter of IT leaders feel extremely confident their systems can support AI workloads.
“Enterprises are moving quickly to take advantage of AI and automation, while at the same time facing increased security expectations and more complex hybrid environments,” said Michael Curry, President of the Data Modernization Business Unit at Rocket Software. “This research makes it clear that IT leaders need integrated, secure ways to connect data and applications across core systems and the cloud. Strengthening these foundations is essential to driving innovation and ensuring organizations can rely on their technology with confidence.”
Key Concerns from IT Leaders:
Data Security Is the Top Modernization Concern for Enterprise IT Leaders
- 69% of IT leaders cite data security as their top modernization concern.
- IT leaders most often rely on AI-driven monitoring tools, access control, and data governance to secure infrastructure.
- Fewer than one-thirdreportextreme confidence in passing their next regulatory audit.
- While 78% say they are confident in detecting insider threats, only 24% report complete confidence.
Hybrid IT Complexity Slows Modernization Across Cloud and On-Premises Environments
- 51% of respondents say bridging cloud and on-premises environments is difficult.
- Data quality is the biggest obstacle to managing workloads across hybrid ecosystems.
- Additionalchallenges include access control at 52%, secure data movement at 50%, governance consistency at 46%, and rising storage costs at 45%.
Skills Shortages Increase Operational Risk in Enterprise IT Organizations
- 48% of organizations still rely on older systems for critical operations.
- Only 35% of IT leaders believe their teams have the skillsrequiredto support these systems.
- 52% say it is difficult to find personnel trained on these systems, increasing the need for workforce reskilling.
AI Adoption Is Accelerating While Infrastructure Readiness Lags
- IT leaders expect AI to have the greatest impact on security and fraud detection at 31%, internal process optimization at 29%, and customer experience at 22%.
- Only 25% of IT leaders report being extremelyconfidenttheir infrastructure can support AI workloads today.
- 66%identifydata accessibility for AI as the top concern shaping future modernization efforts.
Enterprise IT Modernization Priorities for the Next 12 Months
- Improving data security, as 69% of IT leaders continue to cite it as their top concern.
- Supporting AI initiatives, driven by infrastructure readiness gaps.
- Strengthening data availability, with 66%identifyingdata accessibility for AI as a critical challenge.
