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Understanding the Security Operations Landscape in 2026

In the rapidly evolving realm of cybersecurity, organizations are facing mounting challenges as they navigate an increasingly complex environment. Sumo Logic, a leader in intelligent operations platforms, recently published its 2026 Security Operations Insights report, shedding light on the state of security operations. The findings are stark—two-thirds of security leaders report that they lack integrated security tooling, which significantly hampers their effectiveness in protecting their organizations.

A Complicated Security Terrain

The report highlights the confusion and disorder brought about by the proliferation of cloud tools and a diversified tech stack. With new applications emerging with regularity, security leaders are tasked with evaluating whether their existing solutions are providing real value or merely complicating their processes. Chas Clawson, the VP of Security Strategy at Sumo Logic, noted that the overwhelming number of tools available often don't communicate effectively with each other. This disconnection not only creates more work but also results in a lack of reliable protection for organizations.

The survey, which included feedback from over 500 IT and security leaders, reveals important insights into the challenges faced by security operations. Key findings underscore a pressing need for improved data pipeline management and enhanced communication among security tools, particularly in multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments. An astonishing 90% of security leaders affirm that supporting data sources in these diverse setups is critical for their Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.

AI's Double-Edged Sword

As organizations scramble to incorporate AI technologies within their security operations, the hype surrounding artificial intelligence may also contribute to an expanded attack surface. While 90% of security leaders see AI and machine learning as vital for reducing alert fatigue and boosting detection accuracy, their current applications tend to focus on basic tasks rather than advanced security workflows. This gap between expectation and reality indicates that while AI is becoming more common, its deployment in more complex and critical areas is lagging behind.

The Impact of Tool Overload

Statistics from the report further illustrate the overwhelming nature of security operations today. Approximately 93% of enterprise organizations report using three or more security tools, and almost half utilize six or more. This proliferation of point solutions leads to a significant number of security leaders—55%—claiming they have too many disparate tools, which further complicates their operational efforts. For many organizations, this results in not only wasted resources but also stretched teams that are thinly spread across multiple tasks without the necessary common threads to tie their tools together.

Despite the challenges presented by overlapping security tools, there is a notable trend toward automation. Around 70% of respondents have automated their threat detection and response processes, with 25% reporting full automation. This shift indicates a movement toward streamlining operations; however, a reliance on entirely manual processes remains concerning for some organizations.

Bridging the Gap

One of the biggest revelations from the Sumo Logic report is the necessity for a unified security solution. Managers are beginning to realize that expanding their security tech stack is not the answer. Instead, the emphasis should be on developing a cohesive platform that serves as a single source of truth for DevSecOps operations. Such systems provide real-time insights, improving visibility across the entire organizational landscape.

According to Clark Pichon, Security Operations Center Manager for Battelle, managing multiple disconnected tools was a significant hurdle for their team. The introduction of Sumo Logic provided a unified platform, enabling easier integration of AI technologies and allowing for quicker response times to potential threats.

Conclusion

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, it is clear that security operations require an evolution in approach. The increasing complexity of cybersecurity demands that organizations prioritize integration and communication among their tools. Rather than continuing with fractured systems and overwhelming procedures, investing in a unified platform may very well be the key to effective and reliable security operations in a cloud-dominated future. Sumo Logic's report serves as a call to action for security leaders to reassess their strategies in light of these insights and to strive for a more holistic approach to cybersecurity.