As 2026 unfolds, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) find themselves entering a year where technology decisions continue to carry a lot of weight. For many organizations, the question is no longer whether to invest in technology, but how to make smarter, more deliberate choices that support growth without introducing unnecessary risk.
This year should be less about chasing trends and more about building a technology strategy that connects innovation and resilience. From practical AI adoption and stronger cybersecurity to business continuity planning and disciplined project execution, your priorities for 2026 are increasingly interconnected. Approaching these areas strategically better positions you to adapt, scale, and compete, while those still relying on reactive decisions will likely find themselves constantly playing catch-up.
AI Becomes a Practical Business Priority
A McKinsey report from 2025 found that while 92% of companies planned to invest more in generative AI over the next 3 years, only 1% believed their investments had reached maturity. For SMBs, the focus needs to shift away from exploring what AI could do and move on to where it can deliver real, measurable value. Rather than being confined to innovation teams or pilot programs, AI is reaching a point where it’s ready to start influencing everyday operations across the business.
For most organizations, practical AI adoption is centered on a few key areas:
- Operational efficiency: Automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks to reduce manual effort and free teams to focus on higher-value work.
- Improved decision-making: Using AI-driven insights to analyze data faster, identify trends, and support more informed planning.
- Scalable growth: Applying AI in ways that support expansion without requiring a proportional increase in headcount or overhead.
That said, AI only delivers value when it is adopted with intent. Adding disconnected tools or experimenting without clear ownership often introduces more complexity than benefit. Data quality, security, and governance can quickly become issues when AI is deployed in isolation, so it’s critical to treat AI as part of a broader technology strategy that considers its integration, risk, and long-term scalability.
Cybersecurity Becomes a Business Risk, Not Just an IT Issue
The increased reliance on digital systems and data means security incidents carry direct operational, financial, and reputational consequences for SMBs. A single breach or extended outage can impact multiple levels of your business, disrupting your day-to-day operations, impacting customer trust, and even stalling growth initiatives.
Not only do you have a high volume of threats to contend with (there were 859,532 total complaints in 2024 according to FBI data), but another factor to consider is how targeted and persistent they have become. SMBs are no longer overlooked in favor of larger enterprises; in many cases, they are regarded as easier targets–research found that small businesses are actually three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger companies. As a result, cybersecurity priorities are shifting away from one-time investments and toward ongoing risk management. Key areas businesses are focusing on include:
- Continuous monitoring and threat detection: Identifying suspicious activity early to reduce response times and limit damage.
- Identity and access management: Controlling who has access to systems and data, especially as workforces become more distributed.
- Incident readiness: Ensuring clear response plans are in place so teams know exactly what to do when something goes wrong.
In 2026, strong cybersecurity supports more than protection. It underpins business continuity, enables safer adoption of technologies like AI and cloud platforms, and helps organizations meet growing insurance and compliance expectations.
Business Continuity and Resilience Take Center Stage
For SMBs, business continuity planning is a practical requirement for maintaining momentum in an environment where disruptions–whether caused by cyber incidents, system failures, or external events–are increasingly common.
Modern continuity planning goes far beyond basic backups. While data protection remains essential, businesses are placing greater emphasis on how quickly they can recover and continue operating. This includes clearly defined recovery objectives, tested disaster recovery plans, and technology environments designed with resilience in mind. Key priorities for SMBs include:
- Reliable backup and recovery strategies: Ensuring critical data can be restored quickly and accurately.
- Disaster recovery readiness: Having documented, tested plans to minimize disruption when systems or locations are affected.
- Operational resilience: Designing IT environments that reduce single points of failure and support continuity during unexpected events.
Strong business continuity planning enables you to respond to disruption with confidence rather than panic while also supporting your long-term growth by providing a stable foundation for new initiatives, system changes, and digital transformation.
Execution Turns Strategy Into Results
In 2026, having the right technology priorities is only half the equation. The bigger challenge for many SMBs is execution. As IT environments grow more complex, even well-planned initiatives can stall without the structure needed to move them forward efficiently.
Most technology projects typically involve multiple systems, vendors, and internal stakeholders. When ownership is unclear or planning is rushed, delays and disruption are likely to quickly follow. That’s why more emphasis should be placed on disciplined delivery–clear accountability, realistic timelines, and proactive risk management–rather than relying on informal or ad hoc approaches.
Strong execution ensures technology investments deliver real value instead of added complexity. With the right structure in place, you can move faster, minimize disruption, and stay focused on outcomes that support long-term growth rather than short-term fixes.
A Connected Strategy, Supported by the Right Partner
In 2026, technology priorities can’t be treated in isolation. AI initiatives depend on secure data. Cybersecurity underpins business continuity. Strong execution ensures all of it actually delivers value. When these areas are disconnected, you often end up with overlapping tools that lead to stalled projects and reactive decision-making.
A Strategic Approach Brings These Priorities Together
A connected technology strategy aligns innovation with resilience, providing clarity around what to invest in, when to move forward, and how each decision supports the broader business. This reduces risk, limits unnecessary complexity, and creates a more stable foundation for growth.
Where Anderson Technologies Adds Value
Anderson Technologies partners with you to turn strategy into action by:
- Aligning technology decisions with business objectives
- Ensuring security and resilience are built into every initiative
- Providing structure and accountability for complex technology projects
Rather than responding to problems as they arise, we help you plan proactively and move forward with confidence.
Positioned for 2026 and Beyond
By taking a holistic view of your technology environment, we help transform complexity into clarity. The result is an IT foundation that supports growth, adapts to change, and positions your business to compete more effectively throughout 2026 and into the future.
Plan for Progress in 2026
The formula for gaining the most value from your technology is a simple one: take a deliberate, connected approach. Prioritizing AI, cybersecurity, business continuity, and disciplined execution is all about making smarter decisions that support growth while reducing risk.
With the right strategy and the right partner, technology becomes a foundation for progress. Anderson Technologies works with you to help you clarify your priorities, strengthen resilience, and ensure that your technology investments deliver meaningful, long-term results. If you’re evaluating your technology plans for 2026, now is the right time to start the conversation. Schedule a consultation today and start getting your IT priorities straight for the year ahead.
