We interviewed John Broadway, ISN’s seasoned CTO, and he has outlined five key trends to watch out for in 2024. These trends not only reflect the current state of technology but also offer a glimpse into the future of IT. Let’s take a look at each trend:
AI in Relation to Security and Support Operations:
The past year has been rife with businesses jumping on the bandwagon of AI, but there is reason behind the frenzy: it is simplifying manual tasks and freeing up employee time to contribute more meaningfully towards an organisation’s objectives. For example, last month Cisco unveiled its portfolio-wide AI integration for its cybersecurity solutions bringing an AI Assistant to solve the challenge of maintaining complex policies, firewall rules and an AI-powered Encrypted Visibility Engine. These technologies are making it personalised, predictive, and efficient for teams to always keep their systems secure, being able to get answers from AI using natural language – definitely something to look out for.
IoT Digital Transformation:
The Internet of Things (IoT) has already transformed the way we interact with technology, and it is set to continue this trajectory with Research and Markets expecting the global Smart Building market size to grow to $570 billion by 2030. The growth is likely to come from an increasing demand for energy efficient buildings and the rising number of smart building government initiatives.
John told us that now that many employees work from home at least some of the time, IoT is providing us with healthier, more comfortable, and more convenient spaces conducive to better productivity. Furthermore, with the growing consciousness about environmentalism and reducing our carbon footprint, smart buildings may become a key piece of the puzzle to a lower-carbon future. The World Economic Forum’s research indicates that buildings account for 40% of global energy consumption but this energy use can be optimised or reduced by smart IoT solutions such as automated heating and light systems.
Sustainability in IT and IT Services:
In the eyes of our CTO, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, but should be considered fundamental when developing and implementing IT strategy. Consumers are demanding greener operations at every level of the supply chain, emphasising the need for businesses to adopt environmentally responsible practices in their IT infrastructure and services. Businesses can make radical shifts in their own green footprint in the IT industry by collaborating and partnering with other businesses that prioritise sustainability. For example, optimising data centre operations for energy efficiency, leveraging green technologies, and incorporating sustainability into software development practices. As organisations recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility, integrating sustainability into IT becomes a key differentiator.
Evolution of Cloud Adoption Driving Cloud Security:
Cloud adoption has been on the rise for years, but in 2024, it’s not just about moving to the cloud—it’s about how businesses leverage cloud services securely. When we spoke to John, he noted that ISN has noticed the growing need for and importance of robust cloud security measures to protect sensitive data. As companies continue to migrate their operations to the cloud, a comprehensive approach to cloud security, including encryption, identity management, and threat detection, becomes paramount in safeguarding digital assets.
John mentioned a key strategy that businesses can adopt to stay secure in the cloud is by utilising a unified platform for end-to-end security across hybrid multi-cloud environments, giving rise to better user experiences, enhanced security and total visibility within one platform.
Network as a Service (NaaS):
In response to what our clients are looking for, as well as the industry in general, this year ISN released its transformational Network as a Service (NaaS) packages. The IDC conducted a survey of technology-buying decision makers across the world and found that the majority of the decision makers intend to plan a network transformation in the next two years.
John opined that this shift might stem from the transition in desire for more flexible, scalable, and customisable solutions, compared to more traditional networking models. NaaS is allowing organisations to outsource the management of their network infrastructure, enabling greater agility and cost-effectiveness. This trend aligns with the broader industry move towards a more service-oriented approach, where companies focus on their core competencies while relying on specialised service providers for network management.
The underlying theme underscoring 2024 technology development from my point of view is that security is going to play a bigger role than ever, with connected buildings and cloud adoption being two of the main drivers behind this. For organisations looking to get ahead and stay ahead, focusing on developing a robust security strategy provides a practical starting point to ensure a successful 2024.
ISN are award-winning cybersecurity experts who can help you achieve your IT strategy in 2024. Contact ISN today to learn more about these technologies and how you can leverage them in your business.
