Compliance Priorities For Business Leaders In 2026

SMBs, Mid-Market, And Enterprise Compliance Tips

Key Takeaways

1. Many global companies are experiencing compliance failures that result in fines and penalties, highlighting the growing complexity of regulatory requirements.

2. Large penalties, such as TD Bank's multi-billion-dollar fine, are motivating organizations to invest in comprehensive compliance training solutions.

3. Cybersecurity, data privacy, corporate governance, and AI compliance are top priorities for organizations in 2026.

4. Small and medium businesses should focus on basic compliance, practical cybersecurity, and flexible training that adapts to changing regulations.

5. Mid-market firms benefit from localized compliance training, automation, and integrating compliance into workforce development.

6. Enterprises need to address international regulations, train for ESG and supply chain transparency, and use analytics for audit readiness.

7. Embedding compliance into organizational culture and using flexible, trackable, and AI-driven learning technologies improves operational performance and employee engagement.

According to PwC's 2025 Global Compliance Survey, [1] more than 40% of global companies reported at least one compliance failure that led to fines, penalties, or back pay. Staying on top of regulatory compliance requirements has only gotten more complex, and the stakes have never been higher. TD Bank's USD 3.1 billion penalty for "pervasive and systemic failure to maintain an adequate" anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program [2] demonstrates this and has incentivized companies of all sizes to invest in compliance training platforms that can be used to demonstrate compliance in audits and regulatory defense scenarios.

Business leaders from every industry are focusing on compliance topics like cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, and corporate governance in 2026. Tackling these and rising AI-related compliance concerns with the right training is critical, whether you’re running a small to medium-sized business (SMB), a mid-market company, or an enterprise organization.

To help you plan your compliance training program, here are the top compliance priorities facing business leaders in 2026.

SMB Compliance Priorities

For small to medium-sized businesses, the focus is on foundational compliance and security measures.

Heightened focus on cybersecurity and data privacy. SMBs continue to be prime targets for cyberattacks, especially malware attacks, which impact small businesses four times as much as large businesses, according to Verizon's 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report. [3] Healthcare, finance, and manufacturing organizations are especially vulnerable to hacking, which is why 2026 compliance training needs to remain focused on addressing frameworks like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA to ensure proper industry-compliant data handling practices.
Practical training should include phishing simulations, password hygiene education, and incident reporting protocols to reduce human error, which remains the top cause of data breaches.
Employee awareness and upskilling. As remote and hybrid work models persist, SMB leaders are looking to bridge IT talent gaps, address compliance vulnerabilities, and foster a culture of compliance. Integrating compliance topics into broader employee development frameworks can help link compliance knowledge to job performance and career advancement.
Training for employees should emphasize digital literacy and compliance ownership. Leaders are implementing cyber hygiene microlearning courses, IT security certifications, and privacy awareness programs to close skill gaps and build resilience.
Cost containment. In 2026, budget-conscious SMBs are focused on selecting flexible, just-in-time training modules that can reduce their dependency on expensive external consultants. Off-the-shelf compliance libraries that cover topics like workplace harassment, safety, and data protection offer scalability and predictable cost structures.
Leverage a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) with on-demand, modular content. This allows teams to access microlearning when needed, rather than relying on in-person training or costly consultants.
Regulatory adaptation. SMBs in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing need to stay on top of evolving regulations like updates to OSHA, PCI DSS, and FDA modernization initiatives.
Provide frontline SMB teams with on-demand, mobile-friendly microlearning content and gamified learning experiences to stay compliant while minimizing disruptions to operations.

Mid-Market Compliance Priorities

Mid-market organizations often experience growing pains as they expand regionally or internationally. In 2026, mid-sized companies will have to pivot from tactical enforcement of compliance to strategic enablement that supports both governance and innovation.

Expansion into new domestic and global markets. Growth-minded mid-market organizations need specific compliance knowledge to expand, including local and international regulatory frameworks. Globalization introduces complex compliance considerations, from cross-border data transfers to anti-corruption laws like the UK Bribery Act and FCPA.
Adopt localized eLearning modules that address country-specific rules, ensuring employees understand both global and regional regulatory compliance issues.
Operational efficiency improvements. Linking compliance with IT processes and data management through automation and analytics helps mid-sized firms to integrate compliance into business operations.
Link LMS data to HR and IT systems to enable auto-enrollment in required courses, automatic tracking of certifications, and streamlined audit reporting.
Talent retention and workforce development. Compliance being woven into regular skills training keeps it top of mind for everyone in your organization. Upskilling initiatives not only reduce compliance risk but also strengthen leadership pipelines by equipping teams to take on increasingly complex or ambiguous tasks.
Look for a modern compliance training solution that enables your team to blend soft skill development (ethics, communication) with technical compliance training.
Adapting to changing cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security/information privacy training is a necessity for every employee in your mid-market business, but especially remote or dispersed teams.
Launch pre-built cybersecurity training courses within your LMS and ensure that the courses are regularly updated; leverage built-in content authoring tools for creating and updating any custom training courses.

Enterprise Compliance Priorities

Enterprises face the highest compliance burden, balancing global regulatory complexity with the need for agility. Compliance programs are becoming data-driven, risk-based, and integrated with enterprise strategy.

Multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance. As the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and similar mandates take effect, large corporations must train employees on ESG disclosure, carbon accounting, and supply chain transparency.
Deliver training that includes both technical and ethical dimensions—helping teams understand not just what must be reported, but why it matters to stakeholders.
Cybersecurity, anti-bribery, and corruption prevention. These principles, incorporated with AI and bias mitigation content for tech, are top of mind for legal and risk teams and will need to be enforced at scale in 2026.
Look for an LMS with a regularly updated library of pre-built compliance courses on cybersecurity, anti-bribery, and corruption so that your team can deploy the most up-to-date trainings on these topics quickly and consistently.
Real-time microlearning tied to operational events. Assigning short, digestible, yet targeted training to quickly address time-sensitive security incidents or new regulations will be essential for enterprises facing increased disruptions or rising complexity.
To respond quickly to a compliance issue, make bite-sized videos and quizzes available within the flow of work by using an LMS that integrates with HRIS systems and lets admins automate compliance-related alerts and assignments.
Robust training analytics and evidence for compliance audits. Demonstrating compliance is increasingly treated as an "insurance" strategy to reduce the risks of major fines and reputational harm. Learning platforms should streamline compliance audit readiness by:
- Automating training assignments triggered by operational events (like phishing test failures)
- Providing AI-driven course recommendations tailored to roles and behaviors
- Offering built-in LMS tools for tracking due dates and completions
- Syncing in real-time with external systems to ensure data accuracy
- Centralizing reporting dashboards that consolidate training records for easy export
Industry-specific compliance modules. For regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, regular compliance training content updates are necessary to reflect changes in critical regulations like OSHA and GMP, for example.
Equip HR and Compliance teams with regularly updated course modules that they can deliver quickly across your organization, within a centralized LMS.

Trends Impacting All Segments

Several key trends are shaping the future of compliance training for all organizations, regardless of size or industry:

Expansion of digital, mobile, and just-in-time learning. Compliance training must reach users in diverse environments and adapt seamlessly to remote or hybrid work.
AI-driven compliance solutions. Being able to rapidly refresh and assign compliance training content with AI learning solutions can help reduce inefficiency while keeping teams on track.
Measurable training completion dashboards. LMS reporting and analytics can be used defensively in regulatory reviews.

The compliance landscape of 2026 is more dynamic and interconnected than ever. Organizations that integrate compliance into their broader culture, supported by flexible learning technologies, will not only meet regulatory requirements but also optimize operational performance and boost employee engagement.

Whether you're an SMB, mid-market firm, or global enterprise, the future of compliance training lies in agility, analytics, and accountability.