Finance firms face rising audit pressure over databases

Redgate has published its 2026 State of the Database Landscape: Finance Edition, which found that 81% of finance organisations underwent a compliance audit in the past 12 months.

Based on a survey of 2,150 IT professionals worldwide, the report points to mounting strain on financial institutions managing database estates across on-premises systems and cloud environments. It found that 42% of finance organisations operate in a permanent hybrid model, while 36% manage four or more database platforms.

The findings suggest audit pressure falls more heavily on finance teams than on those in other industries. Finance teams are 20% more likely to face audits than the global average, and 79% of respondents in the sector described database security as a strategic concern.

The report also highlights a gap between regulatory scrutiny and the internal controls used to manage data. Only 14% of finance firms said they use data governance or data quality frameworks in analytics, compared with 23% in other sectors.

Hybrid strain

Hybrid infrastructure appears to be a major source of operational complexity. Finance organisations often have to maintain older on-premises systems while expanding into cloud services, creating mixed environments that are harder to monitor, govern and audit consistently.

Managing multiple database platforms adds another layer of difficulty. More than a third of finance respondents said they handle four or more platforms, a level of fragmentation that can make it harder to maintain standardised controls and clear audit trails across teams and systems.

According to the report, isolated fixes are no longer enough. Resilience depends on addressing analytics governance, data quality and auditability together, while adopting delivery practices that create clear evidence trails and operational visibility across every environment.

AI use rises

Redgate's survey also found growing use of artificial intelligence in database management. Some 47% of finance respondents said they already use AI for database management, and 54% of those users apply it to automate management tasks.

As firms look for ways to reduce manual work and limit operational risk, the report warns that weak governance structures could leave institutions more exposed as AI becomes more deeply embedded in day-to-day processes. In a heavily regulated sector, automation without robust controls could make it harder to explain how data has been handled or changed.

The report also points to a shift towards more formal tooling for database change management. It found that 55% of finance organisations use dedicated Database DevOps tools to support repeatable, auditable delivery of changes, indicating a move away from manual processes in areas where regulators expect accountability.

Graham McMillan, chief technology officer at Redgate, linked the findings to the regulatory pressures facing banks, insurers and other financial institutions.

“In finance, losing control of your data is a regulatory target on your back. Over 4 out of 5 companies are facing audits this year. You don't want to be reconstructing your data lineage because of potential audit scrutiny or while the regulator is in the room. You need a delivery pipeline that proves you're in control by default, not by luck. This is especially true now that AI is going to amplify every weakness in your data estate.”

The figures underline how closely database management is tied to compliance and operational governance in finance. As firms balance legacy infrastructure, cloud adoption and broader AI use, the challenge is no longer just storing and processing data, but demonstrating consistent control over how that data moves through the organisation.

One of the clearest findings is the shortfall in formal governance frameworks: only 14% of finance firms said they use them in analytics, despite the sector's high level of audit activity.