The first few weeks of 2026 are a perfect time to look beyond the horizon and see where technology is leading us, especially as it relates to business communications.
Over the past month, we spoke with members of Mitel’s leadership team to discuss the trends and topics they are watching as we start 2026 and why they matter.
From a growing desire for purposeful connections to the enduring value of voice communication and the need for security pros to go on the offensive, here are 5 predictions for the year ahead:
Prediction 1: Flexibility and Control Are the Power Duo for 2026
Martin Bitzinger - Senior Vice President, Product Management at Mitel
“Enterprise decision-makers are done chasing the next shiny object and locking in on the requirements for IT success in 2026: flexibility and control. With IDC identifying hybrid as the default strategy for most organizations, these two pillars are becoming the backbone of enterprise resilience.
“In 2026, organizations will require communications and workflows with 24/7 reliability, adapting and scaling seamlessly without disruption. This requires a combination of on-premise and cloud technologies, where the hybrid architecture acts as a backstop for resilience.
"A true hybrid environment balances flexibility with control, keeping mission-critical workloads protected behind adaptable yet secure guardrails. Hybrid isn’t a buzzword; it’s the blueprint for resilience, relevance, and long-term adaptability.”
Prediction 2: The Strongest Technology Strategies Will Prioritize Durability Over Disruption
Luiz Domingos – Chief Technology Officer and Head of Large Enterprise R&D at Mitel
“In the race to innovate, many organizations chase disruption at the expense of resilience. The next chapter of digital transformation will reward those who evolve intentionally, striking a balance between adaptability and durability by prioritizing technologies that integrate seamlessly and evolve with the business over time.
“Traditional communications systems, like voice, continue to endure because they meet a fundamental human need: clarity and connection. As AI reshapes operations, organizations will favor tools that combine interoperability, security, and trust to achieve sustainable success, not just chase minute-to-minute trends."
Prediction 3: Control and Trust Will Redefine the User Experience
Eric Hanson, Chief Marketing Officer at Mitel
“The year 2026 will usher in a new era where users and organizations prioritize factors such as control, privacy, and security, while relegating convenience and user experience (UX) to the backseat. The age of AI and the increased threat surface of cybersecurity will require the introduction of a new UX frontier, one that requires greater safety, resiliency, and flexibility to meet the evolving global dynamics and the increased needs for multi cloud technology solutions and hybrid communications.
“This shift will be felt at both the individual and organizational levels. As a new generation enters the workforce, we’ll see enterprises moving even further away from the “always on” mobile culture to champion more intentional, balanced connectivity. We can anticipate that this progression will reshape how people connect through technology, placing authenticity, trust, the protection of identity and intellectual property, and user choice at the center of preferred experiences. In response, enterprises will rethink how their technology ecosystems support connection, accelerating demand for delivering private-cloud and edge-based solutions across financial systems, communications, and AI. In 2026, success in enterprise communications will hinge on the ability to always being connected, safely, selectively, and with purpose.”
Prediction 4: Offensive Security Becomes the Standard for Defense
Bill Dunnion – Chief Information Security Officer at Mitel
“The future of cybersecurity lies in thinking like the adversary. Traditional defensive postures—firewalls, monitoring, and compliance checklists—are no longer sufficient against threats that move faster and learn continuously. Offensive security practices such as red teaming, threat hunting, and penetration testing will evolve from optional exercises to essential functions of risk management.
“The guiding principle is simple: what you don’t know can hurt you. Proactively testing systems exposes blind spots before attackers do. The next generation of programs will combine structured frameworks, such as NIST and ISO, with continuous offensive assessments to create dynamic, adaptive defense ecosystems.
"Mature organizations will recognize that compliance does not equal security. Instead, they will integrate continuous testing into their operations, utilizing real-world attack simulations to enhance defenses and quantify risk in business terms. The result is smarter, faster decision-making that results in better protection.”
Prediction 5: Chief Technology Officers Will Also Become Chief Trust Officers
Luiz Domingos – Chief Technology Officer and Head of Large Enterprise R&D at Mitel
“The role of the Chief Technology Officer is undergoing a profound transformation. As AI becomes embedded in every process, product, and decision across the enterprise, trust is emerging as the defining measure of success. Simply building reliable systems is no longer enough; organizations must also earn confidence in how data is handled, automated, how decisions are made, and how technology aligns with shared values.
“The next generation of CTOs will act as Chief Trust Officers, striking a balance between innovation and integrity. They will champion transparency in AI models, establish clear governance frameworks, and ensure that ethical considerations guide every stage of design, deployment, and oversight. In an environment where AI adoption still faces a significant trust gap, confidence will become as important as delivering new capabilities.
“Trust will become both a leadership mandate and a market differentiator. Organizations that succeed will treat responsible innovation not as a limitation but as a strategic advantage, proving that in the AI era, trust is the true currency of transformation.”
