The 2010s are almost over, and a new decade is about to begin. Given how quickly trends and new types of tech emerge, 2020 most likely has plenty of significant developments in store for the IT world. If you’re a business leader wondering what you should pay attention to and prepare for to stay competitive and current in the digital age, here are some tech predictions for the new year you should keep in mind.
1. The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices will continue to increase, creating new points of vulnerability and further complicating cybersecurity.
Many organizations have already implemented IoT devices to increase efficiency and productivity, and we can expect this trend to continue in the new year. The install base of connected devices is expected to exceed 31 billion in 2020, according to Security Intelligence, an informational site run by IBM.
Internet-connected devices have at least one major drawback: They present possible points of vulnerability that hackers can exploit to gain access to private networks and sensitive data. The number of cyberattacks targeting these devices has been growing along with the size of the IoT. In the first six months of 2019, there were 13.5 million such attacks, a 55 percent increase compared to the first half of 2018, according to the 2019 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report.
In 2020 and beyond, we predict that we’ll see more attempts than ever to hack IoT devices. Businesses looking to avoid data breaches should proactively fend off these attacks with advanced cybersecurity solutions like endpoint Managed Detection and Response (MDR).
2. 5G networks will become widespread.
The introduction of 5G connectivity – the fifth generation of cellular networking technology – was one of the big developments in the tech world this year. With significantly faster speeds and lower latency than 4G, this new level of networking is expected to lead to higher productivity and support the use of IoT devices, mobile devices, virtual reality and more.
In the new year, 5G is expected to become more common and transform our lives not only with faster internet but also by supporting the widespread use of drones and self-driving cars, ultimately promoting smart cities, according to the Entrepreneur article “7 Tech Trends to Watch Out for In 2020.”
3. Analytics will become more advanced and predictive.
We’re living at a point in history where we have access to unprecedented amounts of data that we can potentially leverage to make more informed decisions. By 2020, the digital universe is expected to reach a massive 44 zettabytes in size, according to the World Economic Forum. To make sense of large volumes of data, many organizations already leverage analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, which gather and analyze information related to professional operations to help leaders make better decisions.
In the new year and beyond, we anticipate advancements in BI solutions and analytics as organizations seek to further optimize operations. This development is expected to significantly transform the healthcare field in particular, as analytics provide visibility into likely outcomes for specific treatments and drive predictive, more precise care, according to the Forbes article “The 7 Biggest Technology Trends In 2020 Everyone Must Get Ready For Now.”
4. Digital transformation will be a top priority.
As new technologies like the IoT, 5G and the cloud change how we live and work, it’s become clear that businesses must incorporate these tools into their operations to meet evolving consumer expectations. Digital transformation – which involves embracing new tech to deliver a better customer experience (CX) and enhance business processes – will become more important than ever for organizations of all sizes and across all industries in 2020 and beyond.
In fact, by 2024, more than half of all IT spending is expected to go toward innovation and digital transformation, compared to 31 percent in 2018, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) report IDC FutureScape: Worldwide IT Industry 2020 Predictions.
5. There will be more smart buildings that need tailored IT security solutions.
Related to the steadily increasing number of internet-connected devices, smart buildings with automated systems (e.g., heating, cooling and ventilation) will become increasingly common. These structures will also require cybersecurity services and solutions specifically designed to protect their networks.
In the first six months of 2019, almost 40 percent of the computers that control smart building automation systems were impacted by cyberattacks, according to Kaspersky. We can expect these kinds of cybersecurity incidents to increase, so taking proactive steps to secure these smart structures will be vital in 2020 and beyond. For examples of how to safeguard these buildings against hackers, please see our preventive smart building security and multi-layered smart building cybersecurity case studies.
Ultimately, the coming year will likely be an eventful one in the IT world as technology continues to evolve rapidly. If you’d like to learn more about the predictions mentioned in this post and/or would like guidance in crafting your IT strategy for 2020, our team of expert techs can assist you. We have experience working with IoT, smart buildings, BI solutions and more. Connect with us today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing sales@stratospherenetworks.com.
