The defining story of RSAC 2026 for the cybersecurity ecosystem was not any single product announcement, but the weight of everything on show pointing to a single clear direction. The agentic era is accelerating platform consolidation, and the decisions channel partners make in the next 12 to 18 months about which platforms to build their business on will determine their competitive position for the decade ahead.
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RSAC 2026: The Platform Consolidation Inflection Point
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The Analyst Team
Matthew Ball
Follow AnalystChief Analyst
Matthew Ball leads the Cybersecurity Ecosystems and Global IT Opportunity research services at Canalys, now part of Omdia. He delivers strategic insights into the evolving cybersecurity partner landscape, analyzing vendor engagement with MSPs, MSSPs, GSIs, and the transformation of routes to market, including marketplaces. His research spans platform adoption, M&A activity, emerging vendor funding, and the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.
As the lead of the global IT opportunity service, Matthew helps clients quantify addressable market potential, track IT spending trends, and assess macro risks that affect growth and execution. He also leads confidential consultancy projects, contributes to global surveys, and provides tailored guidance to clients worldwide.
A regular speaker at Canalys channels forums, trade shows, and partner summits, Matthew is recognized for his deep industry knowledge and clear strategic thinking. He joined Canalys, now part of Omdia, in 2004, following three years at MZA. He holds an honors degree in geography from the University of Birmingham.
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