Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2018. Read them in this 10th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed by Patrick Hubbard, Head Geek and technical product marketing director at SolarWinds
The Next Phase of Intelligent Tech, Edge Computing & Security
It's that time of year when
everyone returns to business as usual, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to
take on the new year with fervor. Last year was one for the books-particularly
in the technology world. We saw many buzzwords of years past turn from ideas to
reality as once "futuristic" technologies like AI moved from innovation labs
into offices and living rooms at an unprecedented scale.
But, as Theodore Roosevelt once
said, "nothing worth having comes easy." In 2018, organizations will be
challenged to not only keep pace with the evolving technology landscape, but to
also address the ways these changes will impact networks, IT and more. Couple
this with the inevitable security risks that will arise with every new
integration and, businesses will have their work cut out for them yet again!
2018 will bring about a number
of changes in technology, as well as how we perceive these new tools,
including:
1.
Automation anxiety will relax around AI &
Machine Learning
To date, much of the noise
surrounding AI and automation has been around how these tools and technologies
could jeopardize job functions currently being held by people. This fear,
uncertainty and doubt around the "next big thing" in technology is common in
any new cycle of rapid adoption. Consider the Industrial Revolution: the
introduction of assembly lines seemed poised to reclaim countless jobs.
Instead, the nature of those jobs simply adapted to the needs of new
technology-even giving way to the emergence of new skills and jobs such as
machine maintenance, servicing, etc.
While this anxiety is not
without cause, 2018 will mark a turning point in the perception of AI and
automation from foe to friend. In the year ahead, more organizations will
embrace AI, machine learning and automation as ways to augment (not replace)
their existing human resources. For IT professionals, this will necessitate the
cultivation of AI- and automation-era skills such as programming, coding, a
basic understanding of the algorithms that govern AI and machine learning
functionality, and a strong security posture in the face of more sophisticated
cyberattacks.
For businesses, the challenge
will now be approaching these unchartered "intelligent technology" waters
strategically in order to derive specific value-adds for their business and to
effectively communicate the ROI to decision-makers.
2.
Edge and IoT computing will continue to
evolve-despite being plagued by ‘chicken or egg' syndrome
The question today remains: will
edge computing drive the growth of IoT in 2018 or will IoT be the catalyst for
the edge? Like the age-old question of which came first-the chicken or the
egg-it doesn't really matter. What does matter is how the relationship between
these capabilities is changing as new technologies and use cases emerge.
Although the concept of pushing processing to the network's fringe, i.e., the
edge, has been around for years, we now have billions of devices creating data
and billions of users connecting at once-a convergence that generates the need
for processing and network technology between it and the centralized system. In
2018, computing boundaries will be pushed even further to meet the needs of
IoT's demanding applications.
We may also see the IoT industry finally
prioritize security for these devices-after years of complaints from
security-minded IT-pros and a few near-miss IoT-pocolypses-and building strong
IoT systems that corporations can feel comfortable implementing. Additionally,
2018 may see a proliferation in business-relevant IoT devices, aided and
abetted by IoT management tools such as AWS IoT Platform.
3.
Outdated security laws will need a refresh
Contrary to what the
2017 headlines may suggest, malware itself is legal. In actuality, the "criminal"
part of malware activity is in the intent to sell for criminal use-and intent can
be hard to prove (or disprove). Distinguishing between cybervillains and good
hackers can be nearly impossible and well-meaning security researchers may find
themselves as the focus of investigations in the coming year. When it comes to
prosecuting Black Hat vs. White Hat hackers-it's all a bit gray. In 2018, the
industry and current administration will need to dust off the law books and
consider revisiting some of the outdated laws that are not able to distinguish
between the unique intricacies of today's cyber landscape.
Case and point? The
1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), which forbids accessing a computer
without authorization, or in excess of authorization. In theory, it outlaws
hackers, but realistically, does not distinguish between cybervillains and
ethical hackers. The Act also suggests employees can be blamed for
post-termination access, even if by mistake. The potential for security
researchers to get caught up in the statute's ambiguity will be a focus in
2018. And with the massive skills shortage facing the industry, there is no
wiggle room for losing good talent to outdated regulations.
2018 will prove to be a year of
dealing with the reverberation produced by the technologies that struck a chord
in 2017. Businesses will grapple with meeting the demand, as well as
uncertainty around IoT and AI, while still trying to plug up security holes in
their existing systems. It will be particularly interesting to see how
attitudes and perceptions of technology adapt as even more connected, smarter
and seamless technology becomes the new norm for the masses.
2018 may not be "easy" by any
measurement, but isn't that what makes all the hard work worthwhile?
##
About the Author
Patrick Hubbard is a Head Geek and technical product marketing director at SolarWinds. With over 20 years of IT experience spanning network management, datacenter, storage networks, VoIP, virtualization, and more, Hubbard's broad knowledge and hands-on expertise affirm his IT generalist authority.
Since joining SolarWinds in 2007, Hubbard has combined his technical expertise with his IT customer perspective to develop SolarWinds' online demo platform, launch the Head Geek program and create helpful content that speaks to fellow networking and systems professionals. He runs SolarWinds' customer education and training program to empower IT Pros to resolve their IT management problems quickly and easily with SolarWinds software. Hubbard is also a Cisco NetVet and a regular speaker at technology conferences for Ethernet, IPv6 and SDN.