Navigating the Winds of Change: Key 2024 Technology Trends

As 2023 concludes, the stage is set for pivotal shifts across the technology landscape over the next two years. From advancements in AI to innovations in infrastructure and security, major developments lie ahead that will shape technological strategies. Staying abreast of these emerging trends is prudent as we build and safeguard the digital ecosystem.

AI Gets Smarter, and More Dangerous

The relentless momentum of AI will accelerate, reaching new heights in sophistication. While promising immense benefits, pervasive AI also poses risks, especially as generative models become more adept at creating realistic fraudulent communications. As Valimail's CTO Seth Blank outlined, "There will be a significant rise in the sophistication of cyber threats, primarily due to the advancement and widespread use of AI and generative AI." Safeguarding systems and data against AI-enabled threats is imperative.

Data Unlocks AI’s Potential  

Data is the lifeblood of AI, and enhanced data practices will emerge as companies seek greater value from AI investments. As Datadobi's Steve Leeper predicted, "Companies will need to gain insight into their data to strategically feed AI and machine learning platforms, ensuring the most valuable and relevant information is utilized for analysis." Trends like increased data mobility, granular data insight, and more robust data management will allow businesses to strategically collect, organize, and supply data to fuel AI engines.

Infrastructure Advances With Integration  

IT infrastructure is growing more complex with multi-cloud and containerization. As DH2i's Don Boxley forecasted, "The increasing complexity of IT infrastructures, especially with the widespread adoption of containerized environments like Kubernetes, will drive the need for more sophisticated downtime prevention solutions." Technology strategies will shift towards solutions offering compatibility across diverse platforms and deeper integration, enabling unified control. The focus is on harmonic interoperation between disparate systems. 

Resilience and Security Take Center Stage

With businesses more technology-dependent, the cost of downtime rises astronomically. Hence, infrastructure resiliency and cybersecurity will be key investment areas. As Don Boxley predicted, "In response, the adoption of advanced network technologies like software-defined perimeter (SDP) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) will become critical in 2024." New predictive, automated solutions will proactively boost resilience, while techniques like SDP and ZTNA address security gaps that expose attack surfaces.

Email: Bedrock Communication In Need of Fortification  

Email remains a prevalent communication tool but requires stronger defenses as AI-powered threats intensify. As Valimail CEO Alexander Garcia-Tobar stated, “Email authentication will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of digital communications, especially as disinformation becomes more prevalent." Comprehensive email authentication will be crucial, allowing the validity of senders to be verified to combat disinformation. For broader security, communication channels posing vulnerabilities will likely see more exploitation.

While technological innovation brings promise, it also ushers uncertainty and risk. By recognizing emerging trends early, we as technology leaders can guide our organizations confidently towards the opportunities while evading the pitfalls. The winds of change are approaching, but foresight and vigilance will be vital in navigating them.