AS WE ENTER THE SECOND HALF OF 2020 IN THE FACE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HAS DRAMATICALLY ALTERED OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR COMPANIES TO GET A HANDLE ON THE EMERGING TRENDS THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
To prepare for what is to come in today’s ever-shifting technological landscape, here are the top five IT trends set to impact businesses across all industries through 2021.
The IoT Market’s Continued Growth
The IoT market’s fast-paced growth is showing no signs of slowing. Experts estimate that over 20 billion internet-connected objects will be in operation by the end of the year — a figure that is expected to double by 2025.
Companies are quickly implementing IoT strategies to increase opportunity, efficiency, and, ultimately, revenue. However, this surge in adoption comes with significant security considerations. Think of all the sensitive data stored in a given personal or business network. Microsoft’s IoT Signals report found that 97% of corporate adopters are concerned about IoT security, yet these worries have not hindered adoption rates.
As cybercriminals become ever-more sophisticated, companies must take the time now to safeguard their IoT networks. Whether it be a traditional virtual private network (VPN) or more progressive software-defined perimeter (SDP) solutions, the key is to invest in a solution that is compatible with your company’s business, technology, and security needs.
Proactive Cybersecurity
As our personal lives and business operations continue to undergo mass digitization in the coming year, cybersecurity will remain a top priority. Companies must formulate proactive approaches to protection immediately to mitigate the risk of such threats in the future.
Cybersecurity risk assessments, conducted by an IT provider, produce comprehensive action plans for managing cybersecurity risks, defining basic sets of criteria required to prevent attacks. With this information, companies can better identify the expertise, processes, and software needed to avoid cybersecurity issues.
The Importance of Edge Computing
Global data generation is at an all-time high and is projected to increase dramatically in the coming years. As IoT devices become ubiquitous, network latency is now a growing concern. Edge computing can remedy this issue by bringing data closer to the device that requires it. While cloud computing involves the transmission of data from a device to a central data center and back again, edge computing allows for real-time data collection and processing at the device level, resulting in quicker, more efficient response times and reduced bandwidth strain. What cloud computing lacks in speed; however, it makes up for in storage capacity. Therefore, companies looking to bolster their network infrastructure should consider a combined approach.
Widespread Artificial Intelligence Adoption
The disruption brought on by AI in the last decade is being felt across all industries. Once considered a transformative technology reserved for mass corporations, artificial intelligence has since become far more accessible. The second half of the 2010s saw less complex and more affordable solutions enter the market, leveling the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses to reap the benefits of AI.
By aligning business objectives with ways that AI can achieve such goals, businesses of all sizes will be better equipped to weather the AI revolution and maintain, if not gain, a substantial competitive edge. With the implementation of AI strategies, companies must ensure that their IT infrastructure is safe, secure and continuously supported.
Virtual Reality in the Era of COVID-19
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent constraints imposed through widespread lockdown orders, VR is now considered a far more transformative technology than ever before. From virtual classroom learning and collaborative corporate workspaces to VR-enabled real-estate tours, medical assessments, etc., the technology’s application will get more creative and become far more mainstream. As companies look to VR in an effort to bring people closer to the products and services they offer, a strong and secure IT environment will be more important than ever. A proper spam filter, antivirus and backup solution is essential in order to effectively teach, collaborate and connect through virtual reality.
Interested in learning how Fencecore can strengthen your IT infrastructure and help you position your business to best leverage these emerging trends? Reach out to us today.