The Information Technology Management & Security industry is constantly changing and improving, and the future of IT in 2023 looks bright. Businesses should focus on keeping up with Industry trends— both in their niche and in that of IT Management & Security. From New Technology Devices to IoT Devices, 5G Networks, and even the Metaverse, you can expect an increased focus and growth in 2023. Being vigilant of new changes or new technologies that are out there will provide a competitive advantage and proactive knowledge of security. Predicting the Future of IT can be complex, but we have put together our rendition of topics that we think will be top of mind this year.

The Future of IT in 2023

• Top Trends for 2023
• Industry & Careers
• Security
• Infrastructure

Top IT Trends for 2023

As we are approaching the second month of 2023, let’s take a look at what Top Trends will be relevant for the rest of the year:

• Privacy Laws & Regulations: Newer & stronger Data Privacy Regulations will be in the spotlight. These can vary based on the industry that you are in (e.g., Healthcare entities follow the HIPAA Guidelines, Laws, and Requirements).
• 5G Wireless Networks: Our economy is headed toward a significant transformation with the rollout of 5G Wireless Networks. 5G will be a New Generation of Wireless with the promises of lower latency, more capacity, and even faster speeds. We cover this topic again below under “IT Infrastructure.”
• Cloud Computing: Cloud-Based Services are constantly increasing across almost all industries. Expect to see further innovation related to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). The rollout of 5G will prompt more businesses to adopt Cloud Computing models.
• Metaverse: Many industry leaders are expecting the Metaverse to become more mainstream in the coming year. The Metaverse provides small businesses with a more accessible way to connect virtually with customers and engage employees.
• AI and Machine Learning: We will continue to see a shift or growth related to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. More and more businesses will make the move to AI- based solutions or services to fill their staffing gap.
• Edge Computing: New Internet of Things (IoT) devices are steadily becoming available, and more people are taking advantage of them. New Cloud Computing technologies, AI/ Machine Learning technologies, and similar tech will create an URGENT need for Intelligent Edge Computing Solutions that can provide real-time analysis.

IT Industry & IT Careers

Studies show the demand for highly-skilled IT workers will outpace the supply by more than 85 Million people by 2030. Those same studies show that if the gap remains unfilled, this shortage in IT workers could lead to over $8.5 Trillion in unrealized revenue. Businesses are becoming more competitive on higher salaries and better employment packages in attempts to secure these positions.

For organizations to succeed through that, they will need to invest in efficiency, leaning into Automation Solutions to improve their overall productivity within their existing resources.

Organizations should develop strategic partnerships with 3rd Party Providers or Managed IT Solutions Providers to tackle the gap in their current resource pool.

Follow us on social media @fusedotcloud to learn more about IT careers in the Information Technology industry.

IT Security

Three of the most significant cybersecurity topics for 2023 are Zero-Trust Security, Passwordless Authentication, and Artificial Intelligence Based Security. Cyber attacks will only continue targeting small businesses due to their limited resources or capital to implement proactive solutions. Organizations should set aside a budget to invest in four critical areas:

• Adopt strong password security protocols & policies
• Implement robust Network Monitoring Services
• Train continuously on Employee Phishing & Cyber-Security Awareness
• Update software systems regularly to patch any security vulnerabilities

Cyber attacks come with specific costs that carry financial weight, too. For example, studies show there was an 80% increase in fine totals from 2021 to 2022. Here are some additional factors to consider when setting aside an IT security budget:

• Customer Loss
• Cost of Cleanup
• Reputation & Damage Control
• Fines or Fees from Privacy Law Breach
• Loss of Data or Critical Information
• Security Monitoring Services for Up To 2 Years for Each Affected Client

(Top 6 Most Recent High-Profile Company Breaches: T-Mobile, MailChimp, Norton Life Lock, Uber, MediBank, Plex)

IT Infrastructure

One of the most notable IT trends for 2023 will be Cloud-Based Solutions as more and more companies are shifting away from on-premises Infrastructure. In our experience, we have found that a few small businesses are hesitant to make this shift because of their preference for “putting their hand on the data.” However, if those businesses do not follow the trend, it could lead to a requirement to change their software or systems altogether.

The need for Cloud-Based Solutions will only increase, not decrease. Smaller organizations will be able to benefit the most due to overall cost and improved security associated with Cloud-Based solutions. These changes will require a shift towards outsourcing (3rd Parties or MSPs) and adopting New Technologies and Best-Practices in Critical IT Infrastructure.

Organizations are facing extreme pressure to do more with less. This, combined with the limited number of highly skilled it staff available in the industry, is one of the leading reasons businesses are turning to outsourcing or developing strategic partnerships.

Contact a team member at Fuse.Cloud to learn more about our IT services at 601-910-6226.