2026 Data Infrastructure Trends: IT Budgets Are Rising, but Skills Gaps Slow Modernization

DataStrike, a leader in data infrastructure managed services, has announced the results of its 2026 Data Infrastructure Survey Report. The study reveals that 74% of IT leaders expect their data infrastructure budgets to increase in 2026, yet more than half admit they still lack the internal resources to fix issues quickly or drive innovation.

At the same time, 60% of organizations now rely on managed service providers (MSPs) to oversee their data infrastructure—more than double the rate reported in DataStrike’s 2025 Data Infrastructure Survey Report, underscoring the growing dependence on external expertise as teams work to modernize systems and address technical debt.

Now in its second year, the annual survey captured insights from nearly 280 IT leaders across industries. Results show that while cloud adoption is now standard practice, many organizations are grappling with what comes next and are turning their attention to optimizing existing systems, strengthening data strategies, and preparing infrastructure for the growing influence of AI.

"It's clear that IT teams have moved beyond the question of whether to adopt the cloud," said Rob Brown, President and COO of DataStrike. "Their focus now is on how to modernize, manage costs, and build a data strategy that supports the next generation of innovation. They're also reassessing resources, engaging MSPs to manage data infrastructure, and adopting open-source databases like PostgreSQL to streamline operations and reduce reliance on expensive proprietary systems."

Despite growing complexity, internal database teams remain small. Only one-third of organizations employ dedicated database administrators (DBAs), and more than half of those companies consist of just one or two DBAs managing workloads across multiple platforms—including Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and cloud-native databases. Nearly 25% of respondents said they need five or more DBAs to keep up, a challenge compounded by average DBA salary exceeds $120,000 per year.

When asked about their top challenges for 2026, respondents cited modernizing legacy systems (46%) and managing technical debt (33%), replacing last year’s concerns about tool sprawl and slow technology adoption. Meanwhile, 61% identified developing a data strategy as their highest priority—reflecting a growing understanding that a strong data foundation is essential for realizing AI-driven value.

Overall, the survey paints a picture of IT departments striving to balance stability and transformation. As organizations move from cloud migration to modernization, a blended model—combining internal expertise, managed services, and fractional support—is emerging as the most effective approach for sustaining performance and driving long-term growth.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents expressed interest in outsourcing database infrastructure management, and 83% would consider alternative providers to address skills gaps and reduce costs.

Source: DataStrike

Stay Connected with ISE Magazine 

Subscribe to our newsletters and magazine for the latest telecom insights, explore the current issue for in-depth features and strategies, and register for upcoming webinars to learn directly from industry leaders.