The year 2020 will see a transition to a new decade. Businesses are facing various IT trends such as the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, new cybersecurity techniques, and 5G networks.
For small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), information technologies make it easier to fulfill different business functions such as financial management, marketing, sales, product development, etc. But SMBs must keep a watchful eye on changing IT trends and learn to simplify, sustain, and innovate. Here are the top IT challenges businesses will face in 2020:
Cybersecurity
Cybercriminals remain undeterred from compromising systems for their own gain. They'll stick with old yet effective methods like phishing, but they'll also shift attack vectors and adapt their tactics. Inevitably, new risks will emerge. Let’s take a closer look.
Increased migration to the cloud will provide more openings for hackers
The sheer number of connected cloud assets and infrastructures means more cloud misconfigurations that open doors for hackers. In July 2019, a hacker gained access to $100 million worth of Capital One credit card applications and accounts. Based on reports, the hacker was able to break into the banking giant’s cloud-based environment. Because of this and other similar incidents, more and more regulations are being enacted so that firms will be more liable for securing everything they store in the cloud.
AI-powered fraud
Network managers will increasingly use AI in 2020 to prepare for threats, identify weaknesses, and barricade vulnerabilities. At the same time, cybercriminals will find new ways to use AI to their advantage. A current example is the deepfake, a tactic in which a fraudster uses AI to superimpose one person’s face or voice over another's in a video. This will play a larger role in social media crime and social engineering.
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Data privacy regulations
Privacy is the watchword for the data-driven technology industry. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organizations to deploy more effective means of privacy control for their employees’ personal devices. Additionally, with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) coming into effect on January 1, 2020, other US states and countries around the globe will follow suit. The CCPA regulation will govern the way companies store and secure data and allow consumers to demand critical information about their personal data held by corporations.
To keep abreast of the changes, consumer-facing businesses will need to embed privacy-related activities as default requirements in their operations, making consumer consent mandatory.
More 5G networks threats
As a technology that allows greater levels of automation and blazingly fast connectivity, 5G has taken off in many cities around the globe and is predicted to become more prevalent in 2020.
Due to the new characteristics and functionalities of the 5G network architecture, certain components are sensitive. According to a report from the European Union, security flaws borne from poor software development processes make it easier for cybercriminals to insert backdoors into 5G devices and make them hard to detect.
Higher risks in the public sector
Security in public infrastructure is already a major issue. As the public sector undergoes digital transformation, it is prone to developing vulnerabilities. Government agencies and their vendors need to develop innovative ways to fill in those security gaps so they can protect themselves and their constituents from cybercriminals.
Keeping officials, agency staffers, municipal workers, and citizens armed with the latest tools, information, and services is a must, especially when it comes to defending against emerging cyberthreats.
Digital transformation and business strategy
According to Gartner, 82% of C-suite executives have a digital transformation initiative and 77% plan to increase investment in digital capabilities. However, IT leaders, including Chief Information Officers (CIOs) will find digital transformation challenging, especially when they merge legacy technologies with modern ones.
Many businesses still rely on legacy systems and these can be hard to replace. These systems, which may have worked well for the last decade, aren’t relevant anymore. For example, a call center may have savvy telephony or email workflows, but the modern customer demands more digital communications touchpoints between the company and themselves. IT departments have to look for new systems that fit the needs of the modern market but at the same time not alienate customers or clients who are used to the old processes.
If you’re concerned about innovating and securing your business infrastructure, then it is time to invest in extra digital and security measures. Charles IT offers a plethora of IT and unified communications and cybersecurity solutions designed to make your processes faster, smarter, and more competitive. Contact us now to learn more about how we can prepare your technology for the greatest IT challenges of 2020.
