Why financial services firms need advanced connectivity & security in 2026

11/03/26 Wavenet
online banking

The UK financial services sector entered 2026 as one of the most digitally advanced industries in the world. Mobile banking dominates customer interactions, neobanks (a bank that only operates online and has no network of physical locations) continue to disrupt traditional models, and AI is rapidly expanding across fraud prevention, analytics, and customer experience. But with rapid digital acceleration comes increased cyber risk, regulatory pressure, and infrastructure demands. Financial institutions now require advanced connectivity and robust security to stay operational, competitive, and compliant.

1. Hyper-digital customer journeys require always-on connectivity

Mobile banking usage continues to surge, with customers expecting instant access to financial services 24/7. Even small periods of downtime can disrupt transactions, harm trust, and impact thousands of users. With neobanks setting the pace for speed and app performance, traditional institutions must modernise their networks to deliver seamless, high-availability digital services.

  • Real-time onboarding and KYC processes rely on fast, reliable connectivity.
  • Mobile-first user experiences require low latency and resilient bandwidth.
  • Cloud adoption and API-driven ecosystems increase the need for stable connections.

2. Regulatory pressure demands stronger security and resilience

Regulators such as the FCA, PRA, and Bank of England are intensifying their focus on operational resilience, cyber security controls, and third‑party risk management. Financial institutions must demonstrate that they can withstand outages, maintain service continuity, and protect customer data at all times.

  • Zero-trust network architecture is becoming a baseline expectation.
  • Encrypted inter-site connectivity helps maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Real-time monitoring is essential for meeting operational resilience requirements.

3. AI adoption accelerates - but adds new cyber risks

AI is transforming financial services, from fraud detection and AML to personalised digital experiences and predictive analytics. However, increased dependence on AI also brings new governance, security, and performance demands.

  • AI workloads require high‑capacity, low‑latency infrastructure.
  • AI-driven insights rely on secure, trusted data pipelines.
  • AI-related regulation requires firms to demonstrate governance and oversight.

4. Digital assets and 24/7 financial markets require real-time infrastructure

The rise of digital assets, tokenised deposits, and emerging forms of programmable money is reshaping how financial transactions take place. This shift requires firms to modernise their infrastructure to support real-time settlement, high-volume processing, and secure digital asset handling.

  • High-bandwidth connectivity supports real-time payments and settlement.
  • Digital asset custody and processing require enhanced encryption.
  • Interoperable networks are key to operating in a multi-platform financial ecosystem.

5. Fraud and cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated

Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting financial institutions due to the high value of their data and services. With attack methods becoming more automated, AI-driven, and supply-chain oriented, financial organisations must invest in modern, proactive cyber defence.

  • Advanced threat detection and MDR services are essential.
  • Network segmentation and identity controls reduce breach impact.
  • Real-time analytics improve fraud prevention and anomaly detection.

6. Infrastructure modernisation is essential for growth

Outdated systems can no longer support the speed, security, and scalability that modern financial services demand. To remain competitive, institutions must upgrade their connectivity, cloud architecture, and cyber security capabilities.

  • SD-WAN enables secure, resilient multi-site connectivity.
  • Hybrid and multi-cloud models require modern networking tools.
  • Resilient communications support distributed teams and hybrid workforces.

The connectivity and security partner for UK financial services

Wavenet helps UK financial institutions meet their advanced connectivity and security needs through robust, future-ready technology solutions.

Wavenet delivers:

Financial services firms rely on uninterrupted connectivity, industry-leading security, and infrastructure that can evolve with innovation. Wavenet provides the resilience, speed, and protection needed to thrive in the digital financial landscape.

Speak to Wavenet today to modernise your connectivity and security strategy for 2026.

Speak to Wavenet today to modernise your connectivity and security strategy.

IT services for the finance sector Talk to us

Financial & Professional, Cyber Security, Intelligent Connectivity, Blogs

Latest blogs

See all posts
msp it
Top 10 questions to ask before choosing an MSP in the UK (2026)

Choosing a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is one of the most important technology decisions a UK business will make in 2026. With MSPs now responsible for cyber security, cloud management, remote working, data protection, and everyday IT operations, selecting the wrong partner can create major business, financial, and regulatory risks.

Read more
windows-11
Understanding Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) - what your business needs to know in 2026

As of 14 October 2025, Microsoft officially ended free security updates for Windows 10. Organisations that continue operating Windows 10 devices today - in 2026 - are now doing so in a post‑support environment, relying either on paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) or accepting increasing cyber risk. Windows updates are the backbone of endpoint security, identifying new vulnerabilities and closing them before attackers exploit them. Since the end of support deadline passed, unpatched vulnerabilities accumulate quickly, creating growing exposure across any estate still running Windows 10. Continuing with Windows 10 in 2026 can lead to: Higher cyber‑attack risk, particularly ransomware Compliance issues (Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, GDPR, FCA/financial sector requirements) Reduced software compatibility with modern applications and security tools Increased helpdesk overhead due to outdated hardware and OS issues For organisations, this is no longer preparation for a future deadline - it’s about reducing risk now and completing the transition to a modern, supported operating system. Your organisation’s options in 2026 Businesses now have three strategic pathways depending on their hardware, budget cycle, and deployment readiness. 1. Upgrade existing compatible devices to Windows 11 If your current hardware meets Microsoft’s requirements, upgrading remains the fastest and most cost‑effective way to move away from Windows 10 ESU dependency. Benefits include: Ongoing security updates Modern protection (TPM 2.0, enhanced kernel security, improved identity protection) Support for AI‑powered features and future Microsoft roadmaps Lower risk and long‑term stability If your business has Windows 10 machines still capable of upgrading, this should be the first route explored. 2. Refresh your estate with Windows 11‑ready devices Many Windows 10 machines still in use in 2026 are now five to eight years old, and often: Fall below modern security standards Cause productivity bottlenecks Increase support tickets Consume disproportionate IT resources A structured hardware refresh offers: Predictable lifecycle management Improved reliability and performance Standardisation across departments Compatibility with modern security and MDM tooling Wavenet supports staged refresh programmes aligned with fiscal planning, ensuring minimal business disruption. 3. Continue using Windows 10 with Extended Security Updates (ESU) Microsoft’s Windows 10 ESU programme is still available, but it is: Paid per device, per year Increasing in cost each year (designed to encourage migration) Security‑only - no features or performance improvements A temporary safety net, not a long‑term strategy ESU is most appropriate when: Line‑of‑business applications are not yet Windows 11 certified You need additional time for a phased rollout Budget cycles are delaying upgrades or refresh Remote / operational environments require longer transition periods Most organisations still using ESU in 2026 should plan to exit it within the next 12–24 months. Assessing your Windows 11 readiness in 2026 At this stage, businesses need more than a simple device‑level compatibility check. A comprehensive analysis includes: Hardware readiness across the estate Application and vendor compatibility Driver and firmware validation Intune / MDM alignment Security baselines and policy impacts User profile and data considerations Deployment sequencing and pilot planning Wavenet offers full readiness assessments to provide a clear view of which devices can be upgraded, which require replacement, and where ESU may remain temporarily necessary. Why 2026 is a critical year for migration With the end of support now behind us, delaying migration further increases: Security exposure Operational risk Compliance penalties ESU costs End‑user frustration from aging hardware A well‑structured migration programme delivers: A secure, modernised endpoint environment Lower long‑term support cost Improved employee experience Better alignment with Microsoft’s cloud and security roadmap Many organisations are now accelerating migration to remove the remaining Windows 10 footprint entirely. How Wavenet supports your Windows 11 journey Wavenet provides end‑to‑end Windows 11 migration services, including: Estate discovery & readiness assessment Hardware lifecycle planning and procurement Application compatibility testing Managed upgrade or Autopilot deployment Configuration, security baselines, and Intune alignment ESU planning (where absolutely necessary) Phased rollouts with minimal disruption Whether you’re upgrading compatible devices, refreshing your estate, or transitioning off ESU entirely, Wavenet ensures a smooth, secure, and controlled migration.

Read more
Placeholder thumbnail
Everything you need to know about network observability

This article is a useful 101 reference for network observability. What is it? Why does it matter? What are the benefits and outcomes from embracing it?

Read more
pstn
The PSTN switch-off: it's more than just telephones

The PSTN switch-off is a major shift in telecommunications. It's not just about phones. This transition affects many services beyond traditional landlines.

Read more
Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

Think of your business’s digital security like a health check-up. You can fill out a detailed questionnaire yourself, confirming you’re following healthy habits. Or, you can have a doctor perform a full physical, running tests to verify everything is working as it should.

Read more
Placeholder thumbnail
Top benefits of Business Continuity Managed (BCM) planning software

What would you do if a burst pipe forced everyone out of your office tomorrow? If a burst pipe or sudden outage forced your entire team out of the building, would you still be able to access your business continuity plan? For many organisations, the answer is no. Their plan lives on a server they can’t reach or sits in a binder inside the evacuated office.

Read more