Quantum security to become top enterprise priority in Asia Pacific by 2026, says Forrester

Quantum security will emerge as a leading technology investment priority for enterprises across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in 2026, according to new research from Forrester. The firm’s annual Asia Pacific Predictions report, released today, forecasts that over 90% of organizations in the region will invest in post-quantum technologies amid escalating cyber threats and the rise of so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics.

The report highlights how governments in markets such as Singapore and India are accelerating efforts to strengthen quantum resilience. Initiatives like Singapore’s National Quantum-Safe Network Plus and India’s National Quantum Mission are expected to drive large-scale adoption of quantum-safe migration planning, cryptographic inventory tools, and quantum-resistant encryption technologies. Forrester predicts that these efforts will shape a new era of enterprise preparedness as organizations rethink cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive data against next-generation computing threats.

Beyond security, Forrester’s outlook suggests that economic, regulatory, and cultural differences across APAC will increasingly define the pace and direction of digital transformation. In 2026, enterprises will prioritize resilience, cost-effectiveness, and practical outcomes over experimental technology investments, signaling a maturing approach to innovation in the region.

The research forecasts that data sovereignty concerns will play a critical role in shaping artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure strategies. Forrester expects that roughly half of APAC firms will adopt “diverse cloud” architectures that combine U.S. hyperscalers, Chinese cloud providers, and domestic platforms to balance performance with geopolitical risk management. This model is expected to become especially prominent across ASEAN economies, where digital sovereignty and regulatory autonomy are emerging as key competitive factors.

However, the report also cautions that not all modernization efforts will yield tangible results. Forrester predicts that about one-third of firms will misallocate resources by pursuing performative IT transformations, such as rebranding delivery teams as “product teams” without introducing genuine cultural or operational change. These symbolic gestures, the study warns, will lead to inefficiencies, wasted budgets, and missed opportunities to fully capitalize on AI and automation investments.

Another notable trend identified by Forrester is the growing influence of Chinese hyperscalers in the region’s technology landscape. Fueled by the electric vehicle (EV) boom and expanding demand for affordable digital infrastructure, Chinese cloud companies are expected to double their growth in APAC markets by 2026. Forrester said the region’s enterprises are increasingly emulating consumer behavior—prioritizing utility, innovation, and price competitiveness over geopolitical alignment—as they adopt Chinese technology platforms despite ongoing sovereignty debates.

Commenting on the findings, Dane Anderson, Forrester’s Senior Vice President of International Research and Product, said that regional technology leaders must now adapt to “local realities” while staying globally competitive. “From managing sovereignty concerns and addressing quantum threats to operating in a rapidly evolving cloud landscape, APAC business and technology leaders are shifting from proving the value of digital transformation to amplifying its ROI,” Anderson said.