Looking Ahead at 2026 with Gartner: How Smarter Teams and Tools Are Making Application Security a Breeze

With my youthful good looks, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been in cybersecurity for almost two decades. : ) I’ve seen the industry go through some massive transformations. Each change brought its own set of challenges, failures (I’m looking at you XDR) and, more importantly, opportunities. As I am now entrenched in application security, I’m learning that we’re in the middle of another one of those moments, and it’s just as exciting. 

Despite all the progress, application security can still feel like a struggle. According to research from the Gartner® report, “Application Security Strategy 2026: AI, DevSecOps and Platform Consolidation,” 43% of organizations are still at the lowest maturity level when it comes to Application Security. As this is my first stint in Application Security, that number jumped out at me. While software is being built faster than ever, it’s still at the expense of security. 

The good news is that in the report, Gartner® VP Analyst, Dionisio Zumerle, offers a clear and optimistic roadmap for what’s ahead. It’s not about adding more complexity; it’s about working smarter. The report details three major shifts that are already reshaping how we build secure software: using AI as a helpful assistant, fostering real teamwork between developers and security, and decluttering toolsets.  

So how can these trends help us build better, safer applications without all the usual headaches? 

AI as Your New Best Friend 

Generative AI has been the talk of the town for the last few years. And in the world of software development, for good reason. It allows software developers to write more code faster than ever. The Gartner® report highlights that 65% of engineering leaders say their teams are already using AI tools. That speed is a huge advantage. But with that speed comes a new kind of risk. The same AI that helps write code can also introduce vulnerabilities, often because the data it was trained on contained flawed code itself. 

So, what should leadership or a security team do? The answer isn’t to ban these tools. The goal should be to guide teams toward using AI safely and effectively. This starts with establishing a clear policy for AI-generated code. Let developers experiment on less sensitive projects, see what works, and learn about the pitfalls. 

The truly exciting part is that AI is also becoming the best ally in fixing these problems. The report points to the rise of AI code security assistants (ACSAs) that not only find flaws but also suggest fixes in real-time, right inside the developer’s workflow. An AI partner that acts as a virtual security champion, explaining why a piece of code is risky and how to correct it. At Veracode, we’re seeing how AI-powered remediation can drastically cut down the time it takes to fix vulnerabilities with Veracode Fix, turning a process that used to take days into one that takes minutes. It’s about making security a part of the process, not a frustrating roadblock. 

Teamwork That Actually Works 

For years, we’ve talked about “shifting left” and “DevSecOps,” but what does that really mean in practice? It means getting everyone together, the builders (devs), the guardians (security), and the runners (ops), to make beautiful music together like a great band. When they’re in sync, the music flows. When they aren’t, it’s just noise. 

The Gartner® report underscores a critical point: developer experience is the key to making this happen. Developers are being asked to take on more security tasks and are getting overwhelmed and distracted with speed vs. security. If security tools are clunky, slow, and full of noise, what do you think happens? They get ignored. Security becomes an afterthought for innovation, not a part of it. 

Security needs to be built into processes. The report highlights Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) to help prioritize what actually matters by answering questions like, “Is this vulnerability even reachable in our code?” or “Is this flaw actively exploited?” Focusing developers on the 10-25% of findings that pose a real risk, it makes their workload manageable and their efforts more impactful. We’ve seen this work firsthand. One team was able to cut their remediation time by more than half simply by giving developers a prioritized list of fixes they could trust. That’s how you build bridges between teams and turn security from a source of friction into a shared goal. 

Ditching the Tool Mess 

For years we’ve been talking about how organizations are dealing with tool sprawl, cluttered with tools bought for one-off projects that now just gather dust. There’s a scanner for this, a platform for that, and another dashboard for something else entirely. It’s confusing, inefficient, and expensive. 

The Gartner® report confirms that the future is platform consolidation. It’s about bringing Application Security Testing (AST), software supply chain security, and posture management under one roof. When your tools talk to each other, you get a single, clear view of your risk from code to cloud. You eliminate redundant alerts, streamline workflows, and make life easier for everyone involved. 

To get ahead, security teams need to begin by taking inventory of current tools. Identify overlaps and what can be consolidated. The goal is to build a streamlined, integrated security program that enables teams, rather than slowing them down. Start small, prove the value, and build momentum. Turning your security program into a strategic advantage starts with getting your house in order. 

Key Takeaways for Application Security in 2026 

The report is full of deep insights, but if I were to boil it down to a few actionable steps, they would be these: 

• Govern AI, Don’t Ban It: Create clear policies for using AI in development. Encourage experimentation on non-critical projects and embrace AI-assisted tools to help developers fix flaws faster. 
• Focus on Developer Experience: Your security program is only as good as its adoption. Talk to your developers, find out what slows them down, and use prioritization to reduce alert fatigue. 
• Plan for Platform Convergence: Take inventory of your security tools and start identifying strategic platforms to consolidate around. A simpler toolset leads to stronger security posture. 
• Automate Your Policies: Use technology to enforce security rules directly in the development pipeline. Whether it’s requiring signed commits or blocking insecure dependencies, automation ensures consistency. 

Let’s Build the Future, Securely 

The challenges in application security are real, but the solutions are becoming more integrated, intelligent, and human-centric. This isn’t about adding more alerts or more gates; it’s about creating a culture where teams can build quickly and confidently because security is baked in, not bolted on. It’s about making security an enabler of innovation. 

The full Gartner® “Application Security Strategy 2026: AI, DevSecOps and Platform Consolidation” report is packed with more data, charts, and actionable steps to get your organization ready for 2026 and beyond. Download your copy now to start 2026 right.