New Survey Findings, New FlashSystem Portfolio, and more

New Rocket Software Survey Finds 69% of IT Leaders Report Data Security Keeps Them Up at Night

Rocket Software has released new research on the growing challenges facing IT leaders as enterprises accelerate modernization and integrate AI across hybrid environments. The research finds that data security now leads all modernization concerns, with nearly seven in ten IT leaders citing it as their biggest source of pressure.

Data security emerges as the defining modernization challenge

Technology is evolving so quickly that many IT organizations are under growing pressure to keep security and modernization aligned. Security has become a defining factor in whether transformation succeeds, as expanding data environments across core systems and the cloud introduce new risks that many organizations are still grappling with.

At the same time, AI is both a strategic priority and a source of strain, with uncertainty around infrastructure readiness slowing adoption, especially since only one-quarter of IT leaders feel extremely confident their systems can support AI workloads.

“Enterprises are moving quickly to take advantage of AI and automation, while at the same time facing increased security expectations and more complex hybrid environments,” said Michael Curry, President of the Data Modernization Business Unit at Rocket Software. “This research makes it clear that IT leaders need integrated, secure ways to connect data and applications across core systems and the cloud. Strengthening these foundations is essential to driving innovation and ensuring organizations can rely on their technology with confidence.”

Key concerns from IT leaders:

Data Security Is the Top Modernization Concern for Enterprise IT Leaders

• 69% of IT leaders cite data security as their top modernization concern.
• IT leaders most often rely on AI-driven monitoring tools, access control, and data governance to secure infrastructure.
• Fewer than one-third report extreme confidence in passing their next regulatory audit.
• While 78% say they are confident in detecting insider threats, only 24% report complete confidence.

Hybrid IT complexity slows modernization across cloud and on-premises environments:

• 51% of respondents say bridging cloud and on-premises environments is difficult.
• Data quality is the biggest obstacle to managing workloads across hybrid ecosystems.
• Additional challenges include access control at 52%, secure data movement at 50%, governance consistency at 46%, and rising storage costs at 45%.

Skills shortages increase operational risk in enterprise IT organizations

• 48% of organizations still rely on older systems for critical operations.
• Only 35% of IT leaders believe their teams have the skills required to support these systems.
• 52% say it is difficult to find personnel trained on these systems, increasing the need for workforce reskilling.

AI adoption is accelerating while infrastructure readiness lags

• IT leaders expect AI to have the greatest impact on security and fraud detection at 31%, internal process optimization at 29%, and customer experience at 22%.
• Only 25% of IT leaders report being extremely confident their infrastructure can support AI workloads today.
• 66% identify data accessibility for AI as the top concern shaping future modernization efforts.

Enterprise IT modernization priorities for the next 12 months

• Improving data security, as 69% of IT leaders continue to cite it as their top concern.
• Supporting AI initiatives, driven by infrastructure readiness gaps.
• Strengthening data availability, with 66% identifying data accessibility for AI as a critical challenge.

Methodology

Rocket Software partnered with Researchscape to survey 276 IT directors and vice presidents at organizations with more than 1,000 employees across the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany. The survey was conducted between October 8 and October 27, 2025.

Source: Rocket Software

Kyndryl Named a Leader in 2025–2026 IDC MarketScape for Mainframe Modernization

Kyndryl has been recognized as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Mainframe Modernization Infrastructure Solutions 2025–2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US52975425).

The report evaluated seven providers supporting enterprises as they sustain, modernize, and extend mainframe environments—particularly as organizations adopt AI-enabled capabilities. According to IDC, Kyndryl stood out for its broad infrastructure operations expertise, planning and implementation capabilities, and its ability to deliver unified visibility into managed resources through Kyndryl Bridge.

IDC also noted the company’s proactive use of AI to enhance its own service delivery while preparing customers for next-generation AI-enabled mainframe environments.

Kyndryl’s global scale remains a differentiator. The report highlights approximately 7,000 mainframe specialists across 51 countries supporting its mainframe-related services.

As enterprises prioritize modernization to improve data access, integrate AI, and address skills gaps, recognition in this year’s IDC MarketScape underscores the continued evolution of the services ecosystem surrounding IBM Z environments.

A complimentary excerpt of the report is available via Kyndryl.

Source: Kyndryl

IBM Introduces Autonomous Storage with New FlashSystem Portfolio Powered by Agentic AI

IBM has unveiled the next generation of IBM FlashSystem, co-run by agentic AI, ushering in a new era of autonomous storage. By enhancing FlashSystem’s existing AI capabilities with agentic AI, IBM is redefining resilience through sustained protection, autonomous threat analysis, and customized recovery recommendations. Clients can now turn storage into an always-on layer of intelligence, enabling reliable and secure storage operations that can reduce the manual effort of storage management by up to 90%.

The new portfolio includes:

• Three new systems – the IBM FlashSystem 5600, 7600, and 9600 – which deliver up to 40% greater data efficiency for improved capacity footprint and performance, compared to the previous generation.
• FlashSystem.ai, a new set of intelligent data services that help administrators manage, monitor, diagnose, and remediate issues across the entire data path.
• The new fifth-generation FlashCore Module all-flash drive, which is engineered to provide hardware-accelerated real-time ransomware detection, data reduction, analytics and operations, with advanced telemetry and consistently low latency at scale.
• As companies increasingly integrate AI workflows into their operations, agentic AI has the potential to streamline the way IT teams work across the stack. In fact, 76% of executives responding to an IBM IBV study say their organizations are developing, executing, or scaling proof-of-concepts that automate intelligent workflows through self-sufficient AI agents. In tandem, enterprise IT teams continue to face accelerated data growth, expanding cyber threats, and tightening compliance requirements. These roadblocks have created a need for intelligent, autonomous storage solutions.

“The next-generation IBM FlashSystem elevates storage to an intelligent, always-available layer, where autonomous AI agents continuously optimize performance, security, and cost without human intervention,” said Sam Werner, GM of IBM Storage. “The updated portfolio marks the beginning of an autonomous storage era, where FlashSystem becomes a strategic AI partner that can help IT leaders ensure optimal, secure performance for every workload they run.”

Source: IBM

Industry Demand Drives Growth in Vertali Global Workforce

Mainframe services provider Vertali has announced significant growth in permanent employees and contractors across its operations. This latest round of strategic hires addresses increased client demand for Vertali’s mainframe security services, in particular, following recent high-profile ransomware and cyberattacks. The company is also seeing rising need for migrations, software solutions, BAU support, managed services, and 24/7 out-of-hours incident management.

“Organizations are under threat like never before, and have more diverse support requirements than ever,” says Leanne Wilson, Senior Technical Delivery Manager, Vertali. “These new colleagues further strengthen our global team. We are hiring in virtually every part of the company, from client-facing consultants to essential back-office support roles. We are continuing to offer our clients access to the most significant pool of mainframe talent on the planet.”

Responding to a Bouyant Mainframe Space

Vertali’s growth reflects continued mainframe investment, confidence, and modernization projects around the world. The BMC Mainframe Survey 2025, for example, found that 97% of respondents had a positive perception of the mainframe. Vertali also cites the 2025 Arcati Mainframe Navigator, which found that outsourcing mainframe management has increased from 9% in 2024 to 20% in 2025, “primarily driven by cost savings, skills shortages, and cloud integration.”

Source: Vertali

Rocket Software Launches NextGen Academy in Australia to Build the Next Generation of Modern Mainframe Talent

Rocket Software has announced that its first NextGen Academy in Australia will launch on February 23rd. This marks the fourth location for the international education program designed to prepare participants with the essential skills, hands-on experience, and knowledge needed for careers across the broader tech industry, supporting modernization initiatives and addressing global workforce needs.  

There is still a strong demand for mainframe talent, with 91% of companies planning to hire new mainframe talent within the next two years (Futurum Group). Despite hiring goals, 62% of companies cite a lack of modern mainframe skills as a top challenge (Planet Mainframe). To meet this growing demand, Rocket Software is committed to educating the next wave of engineers and IT leaders. 

“As the world races ahead to adopt new technologies, the infrastructure that supports them is often overlooked. We need people in the workforce who understand how that infrastructure works and how to connect it to what comes next,” said Neil Fowler, SVP of Hybrid Cloud Engineering and NextGen Academy Board Chair.”

Students will participate in an immersive training program designed to develop modern mainframe talent for Rocket Software. The curriculum blends essential technical foundations with practical experience across the z/OS ecosystem and places a strong focus on AI‑enabled engineering. Trainees will learn how to apply AI to accelerate learning, problem‑solving, and day‑to‑day development workflows – reflecting how modern engineering happens inside Rocket. Learning is delivered by a mix of industry‑recognized instructors and Rocket Software’s most experienced engineers and SMEs, ensuring each graduate is equipped with the skills and mindset to contribute to innovation on the modern mainframe. 

The launch reinforces Rocket Software’s commitment to Australia as a strategic region, supporting customers and partners by investing in skills development where mainframe expertise is needed. The program will launch on February 23rd, with 10 participants joining the academy and starting their 6-month journey with NextGen Academy. 

Source: Rocket Software