Info-Tech’s Best Research for Education 2026
IT leaders are looking to address the uncertainties facing their educational institutions.
Education institutions are navigating disruption on multiple fronts – from AI to enrollment decline. As financial pressures, shifting student expectations, and rapid technological change reshape the sector, IT is becoming central to institutional resilience and transformation. Discover this research-driven guide for IT leaders tackling the unique challenges they’re facing in Education.
We’ve consolidated the most critical research for IT leaders in the education sector in 2026 to address these challenges:
- The rise of AI and the need for responsible adoption and governance.
- The institutional impact of declining enrollment and increased competition for students.
- Growing demand for high-quality, governed data to support decision-making.
- Strengthening cybersecurity and managing rising risks.
- Integrating systems to improve efficiency and support services.
Info-Tech's Best Research for Education 2026
IT leaders are looking to address the uncertainties facing their educational institutions.
Info-Tech's Best Research for Education 2026
IT leaders are applying research-driven insights to tackle the unique challenges they face in Education
Educational institutions are navigating disruption on multiple fronts – from the rise of AI to enrollment decline. As financial pressures, shifting student expectations, and rapid technological change reshape the sector, IT is becoming central to institutional resilience and transformation.
We've consolidated the most critical research for IT leaders in the education sector in 2026 to address these challenges:
- The rise of AI and the need for responsible adoption and governance.
- The institutional impact of declining enrollment and increased competition for students.
- Growing demand for high-quality, governed data to support decision-making.
- Strengthening cybersecurity and managing rising risks.
- Integrating systems to improve efficiency and support services.
Top Trends and Priorities for Education
"We make your IT department more professional, and we make your IT professionals the best."
Mark Roman
Managing Partner
Info-Tech Research Group
1
Establish responsible AI
Understand AI capabilities and develop policy mechanisms.
2
Embrace the AI revolution
Limit risks and extract value.
3
Adopt Exponential IT
Elevate IT leadership and enhance capabilities.
4
Navigate the enrollment cliff
Align IT with institutional efforts and assess the external context.
5
Strengthen cybersecurity practices
Adopt zero-trust security and integrate security and privacy.
6
Seamlessly integrate systems and support
Establish the mandate and assess current and future states.
7
Enable data-driven transformation
Establish data governance and enhance data quality.
8
Support digital change
Map stakeholder journeys and embrace new technologies.
Establish responsible AI
Challenge:
Manage AI in education.
Why It Matters:
Ensure responsible AI use.
Solution:
Understand AI capabilities. Develop policy mechanisms.
1
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Artificial Intelligence Research Center
Understand the Implications of Generative AI in Education
Embrace the AI revolution
Challenge:
Adjust to generative AI.
Why It Matters:
Transform education.
Solution:
Limit risks. Extract value.
2
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Understand the Implications of Generative AI in Education
Launch Your AI Proof of Concept
Adopt Exponential IT
Challenge:
Adapt to exponential change.
Why It Matters:
Bridge the gap.
Solution:
Elevate IT leadership. Enhance capabilities.
3
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Identify a Resilient Approach to the Future of Your Higher Education ERP
Exponential IT Research Center
Navigate the enrollment cliff
Challenge:
Prepare for a dramatic decline in enrollment.
Why It Matters:
Manage increased competition and institutional impact.
Solution:
Align IT with institutional efforts. Assess the external context.
4
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Higher Education
Create a Transparent and Defensible IT Budget
Strengthen cybersecurity practices
Challenge:
Address the rising level of crisis.
Why It Matters:
Education is facing overwhelming growth in threat vectors.
Solution:
Adopt zero-trust security. Integrate security and privacy.
5
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Build Business-Aligned Privacy Programs for Higher Education Institutions
Seamlessly integrate systems & support
Challenge:
Break down silos of isolation.
Why It Matters:
Target inefficiencies.
Solution:
Establish the mandate. Assess current and future states.
6
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Assess the Strategic Context for ERP Modernization in Higher Education
Design Your IT Organization for the Future
Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Higher Education
Enable data-driven transformation
Challenge:
Applications are ephemeral; data is enduring.
Why It Matters:
Rethink IT investments.
Solution:
Establish data governance. Enhance data quality.
7
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Align IT With Institutional Priorities for Student Experience
Support a Data-Driven Student Retention Program
Establish the Target Operating Model Needed to Execute Your Data Strategy
Support digital change
Challenge:
Manage the acceleration of digital transformation.
Why It Matters:
Thrive in a digital-first world.
Solution:
Map stakeholder journeys. Embrace new technologies.
8
Technology Research
Education
Mark Maby
Principal Research Director
Featured Research
Rationalize Your Application Portfolio
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