What is the biggest headache with technology today?
What are the current I.T. problems?
While technology helped many businesses to thrive and survive in the year 2020, there were a lot of I.T. problems that must be considered when we anticipate an exciting year for technology. From dealing with security concerns and cyber-attacks to implementing an I.T. strategy as part of an overall business plan, a growing skill gap, and so on –we’ve put together a list of ten of the biggest issues that will be facing the tech industry in 2021.
The 13 biggest headaches with technology today.
Every year, we have conversations with tech leaders about the major challenges they’ll face soon. We see some subtle, but not too subtle, shifts from the worries of the year 2018.
Data overload, which was a major issue in the past, has changed as new tools that consume data and A.I. assist in analyzing the data and guiding business decisions. In 2018, CIOs were more concerned about how to secure this data as they were faced with new privacy laws.
While the overall economy continues to grow, CIOs will be less burdened by budget cuts. Concerns about shifting to cloud-based computing are no longer as big of a problem as before, considering that several businesses are already leaping. Executives are now focusing more on the security of their cloud-based resources across different cloud platforms.
Find out what the experts in the C-suite, as well as recruiters, and those who work in the trenches, have to say about the most pressing issues of our time and the best way to address them.
1. New security threats to security
Recent headlines could trigger alarming new security threats, claims Rick Grinnell, founder and managing partner of Glasswing Ventures.
“The government shutdown has contributed to the growing cyber-attack on the security of the U.S. government, critical infrastructure, and other private and public institutions,” Grinnell says. “With shutdowns, many security professionals who were monitoring for threats on a national level were not working, leaving an even bigger opportunity for hackers. Time will tell how a month of reduced security will cause more harm in the coming year or beyond.
Tech executives are also preparing for the next generation of AI-driven cyberattacks.
“Security professionals must be attentive to identifying and training against dangers,” says John Samuel, CIO at CGS. “This year, businesses must introduce AI-based security systems that are capable of containing any attacks that are triggered by this new technology.”
Grinnell claims that A.I. was not the cause of the most prominent attacks in the past year, but he’s expecting the situation to change.
“I believe that 2019 will be one of the many AI-driven attacks against U.S. companies, critical infrastructure, and government agencies,” the author says. Let’s hope that I’m wrong.
2. Protection of data
Modern companies use privacy by design to improve their products, but making sure they comply with the GDPR requirements is a constant issue. Google, for instance, recently received a record-breaking fine imposed by French regulators for how it collects data.
Samuel says U.S. companies will have to think about the possibility of a GDPR-like policy to safeguard citizens even before any regulations are put in place. Ultimately, it is essential to have guidelines for international companies to guarantee their customers’ privacy and security globally so that compliance is easier.
Schellman and Co. senior manager Jacob Ansari says IoT security received lots of media attention last year, but it didn’t result in much change in the field.
Ansari states that “the manufacturers of IoT devices are still using vulnerable software components, have inadequate security of communication and network networks, and cannot offer updates to their software in these areas,” according to Ansari. They’re still making most of the same mistakes that others made in the 1990s and early 2000s. And, of course, your home devices that are activated by voice are tracking you, and the company behind them is likely to give your personal information to the wrong people through accidental means with no supervision or responsibility. This suggests that the need for better legislation on data privacy–at the very least for the U.S.–is likely to be a hot topic in 2019 in particular, especially due to the recent election results. It was not a popular decision to implement GDPR in Europe. However, its security measures for everyday people are adequate.
3. Skill Deficit
Many of our sources pointed out the infamous skill gap in I.T… Still, with an added twist: some tech leaders now see the issue as self-inflicted, rather than an insurmountable problem.
If you’re only considering students with electrical engineering or computer science qualifications from the top 10 schools in the U.S., then yes, there aren’t many applicants. And the majority of them will be going to the top five companies, “says Tod Beardsley, Director of Research at Rapid7. “But the talent pool is far, far greater than that, and employers are advised to look into this area more broadly.”
Sandra Toms, vice president and curator of the RSA Conference, says I.T. departments could benefit from “plugging their skills gaps” by hiring more diverse workforces based on race and gender as well. The majority of I.T. hiring organizations don’t consider the different perspectives of people from religious backgrounds, gender, sexual orientation, and education. Looking at diversity in a more holistic approach will allow for a greater variety of applicants and result in more productivity. “
For a deeper study of the job market for I.T. professionals, read “I.T. skills gap: facts against.” The myths
4. Security across multiple clouds
According to Laurent Gil, a security product strategy architect at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, when looking at new cloud-based solutions, CIOs must inquire about security across different platforms.
“Traditionally, multi-cloud has led enterprises to manage a variety of different, sometimes incompatible and inconsistent security systems,” Gil says. “We believe that using cloud-agnostic security systems that are cross-cloud is crucial to ensure security consistency and, most importantly, the security of all assets of the enterprise regardless of where they are located.”
Learn the “seven tips to be successful in a multi-cloud plan.”
5. Innovation and digital transformation
According to Gartner’s information, close to two-thirds of business executives believe that their businesses must accelerate their digital transformation, or risk losing ground to rivals.
A majority of businesses will continue to follow the same track until they’re forced to change. According to Merrick Olives, who is the cloud’s managing partner, Candid Partners, the consultant
“Tying I.T. spending to strategic business capabilities and answering the question, ‘How can we make ourselves stronger?’ is vital,” Olives says. In contrast to project-based financing, value stream-based models of funding are becoming more efficient in tying the board’s objectives to budgetary considerations. The cost structures and efficiency of legacy as compared to an agile digital capability differ greatly, and being nimble is more costly and more efficient. “
Also, check out “six secrets of highly innovative CIOs” and “Insider strategies to make the right digital transformation.”
6. Discover new revenue streams
Ian Murray, vice president of the telecom expense management software firm Tangoe and Tangoe, says that even though the business landscape is constantly changing, the basic idea of earning money remains the same.
“The method of identifying and utilizing revenue opportunities hasn’t changed much–identify a challenge which we can address that is widespread, common, and that people would pay for to solve,” Murray says.
What’s changed is the importance of direct revenue generation, which is now on the desk of the CIO, according to Mike Fuhrman, chief product officer for the hybrid I.T. infrastructure company Peak 10. ViaWest
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t believe that the CIO should be concerned with directly earning revenues, “Fuhrman says. I’m seeing this trend increase and more frequently among my colleagues. To remain in the game as a CIO Many are working to improve their products. Although there are some benefits to thinking this way, it could be a recipe for focusing the team and boardroom. In the case of opportunities to generate revenue, the CIO should be focused on these projects and turn the business into an automated system that can scale. It is imperative to keep our eyes on removing costs from the company and growing from an approach to the market. This is the way the CIO should be focusing on revenue. “
For more insight, check out “six secrets of income-generating CIOs.”
7. Instability
Companies that seek to implement agile practices often find themselves in a hybrid model that combines agile methods with more linear “waterfall” techniques. In essence, it’s the most detrimental of both.
Tangoe’s Murray clarifies: “Developers are coding to specific specifications with no knowledge of how this feature or button is integrated into the overall experience for users.” It is essential to have a disciplined approach for this to be achieved in which the solution to specific issues is dealt with within a particular release. Every release is then planned to run a series of sprints to ensure that a complete solution that enhances the UX is delivered with each release, and not just a set of features requested that could or might not be compatible with each other. “
Also read: “5 misconceptions CIOs continue to have regarding agility.”
8. Measuring Employee Productivity
Because most businesses transitioned to a 100 percent remote workforce in a matter of minutes, many discovered they lacked a method to assess employee productivity. Technology that provides a “user report on productivity” has been a boon. To “see” employees at work, businesses have to look for technology that will allow companies to keep track of and report on employees’ productivity at home. –Bill Mulholland, ARC Relocation
9. Industry Conference Digital Platforms
There is nothing better than in-person interaction for business development. It was the case that, in past times, conferences for the industry were the norm. However, today, the shift to remote conferences leaves a lot to be desired and turns the intangible value of attending into something strictly informational. A new format or platform for industry events is desperately required. –Nick Reese, Elder Guide
10. Internet Speed and Equipment: Remote Internet Performance and Equipment
In the wake of a shift in the majority of workers working remotely, businesses require a boost in internet speeds and the capacity of workers who did not previously have the resources to complete quality work. Businesses must invest in new technologies such as 5G and ensure they have the right support at home. Matthew Podolsky, Florida Law Advisers, P.A.
11. Automation receives far too much attention.
Automation and multi-platform management could be beneficial for large-name companies and brands, but it’s way too much for small-scale website owners and small businesses. Many people are attempting to complicate things. Stay with your business plan and the method that works, without trying to complicate the process. –Zac Johnson, Blogger
12. Phishing Websites
There are numerous examples of victims of phishing sites. This year, I realized the importance of using good pop-up blockers on your laptop or mobile device. It’s terrifying to be redirected to a site that you aren’t familiar with or even to pay to access sites that don’t exist. If you can, develop more effective pop-up blockers. –Daisy Jing, Banish
13. Data Security
I believe that data privacy remains one of the most important technology issues for businesses. Blockchain technology could solve this issue. More companies need to recognize that blockchain technology isn’t just used to provide digital currency, but also helps protect people’s privacy. Additionally, we need Amazon, Facebook, Google, and others to realize that personal data is the individual’s property. Amine Rahal IronMonk Solutions
