2017 Tech Trends: The Beginning Of The Fourth Industrial Revolution
By John Zanni, CMO, Senior Vice President Cloud & Channel Programs at Acronis
It’s the time of year where I get to predict the future, made all the more fun when you consider we are at the start of the fourth industrial revolution. Tech trends are perpetually shifting, and while only a few hang around to become long-term mainstays, these are the topics likely to be dominating conversation.
- More Hijacking Of Business Data
Ransomware is a major problem for businesses, one that’s not going to go away. In fact, it will become more prevalent as it expands and impacts as many devices as possible including Smart TVs, IoT devices, smart cars, and of course personal and corporate workstations and servers. Having a data protection plan in place for your business’ data is absolutely crucial. In an era where cloud storage is core to a dual protection strategy (local being the second component of a dual protection strategy), there’s no excuse for not maintaining a cloud backup to ensure operations can be restored to normal after a crisis. Cloud backups, and utilization of protection such as Acronis’ Active Protection based products, are essential components to defend your data and services from future attacks. It is critical individuals and companies plan early, as it’s only a matter of time before you’re targeted.
- The Move To Subscription Instead Of One-Time Purchases Will Accelerate
Many software companies have shifted to digital subscription based releases which require a subscription for access, rather than a one-time physical purchase. As we move into 2017, we’re going to see even more companies shift toward and more users choose this model.
This isn’t limited to software — we’ve seen it with the rise of all manner of subscription-based products around the world, and the switch to on-demand services world-wide. It’s a model that can potentially have great benefits for both customer and business alike: the customer has more control and predictability in their costs and they typically have access to the most up-to-date version of the product when they most need it. Additionally, it provides engineers with better feedback about what customers are happy with and what may need to be reworked in the next iteration of a product which now gets updated much more frequently. A simple example of this is how Tesla updates their cars over the air with software updates based on direct user feedback on a regular basic.
- Greater Awareness Of Cloud-Based Risks
Companies and the general public are becoming more aware of the benefits and limitations of cloud storage. Though it’s an exceptionally powerful tool, it’s no secret the technology has some deficiencies. The last few years have seen a number of cases where people had less control over what happens to their data than they thought they had and are forced to trust large centralized authorities like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google with all their data. As a result, the following tools and functionality are going to grow rapidly in popularity over the coming years:
- data encryption in transit and at rest, with a clear understanding of the impact quantum computers will have on encryption standards
- blockchain distributed digital ledger based systems to decentralize trust and authority and provide robust distributed security related products
- secure messaging solutions
- bio-metric based authentication
- natural human interactions via natural language understanding
- AI-based storage and search to enhance the ability to find content
- AI-based backup and data management to ensure control and access
This will allow individuals and businesses to take back control of their digital assets. Whether it’s simple photos and documents, or more sophisticated and sensitive information, it will be secure and more usable.
- Pervasiveness Of Machine Learning And Other AI-Related Technologies In Driving Powerful Automation And Improved Usability In All Viable Products
Machine learning technologies, connected with technologies like Natural Language Processing and Understanding (NLP), are rapidly growing in use in just about every mainstream software product or service in the world. Companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and others have already embedded advanced AI technologies in products people use every day to enhance the experience. As a simple example, half the time a user is talking to a customer support representative now over chat they are actually talking to a robot.
These technologies will make it easier to use advanced products. Companies that are not embedding these technologies in their products will quickly be obviated in the market place. When making the choice to subscribe to a new service or purchase a new product, people need to consider the product roadmap to ensure these technologies will be used to enhance their experience. Machine learning and NLP will be heavily used by companies to almost fully automate complex data protection plans and greatly enhance the usability of the product where full automation isn’t possible. In 2017, Acronis will launch multiple products with AI enhancements to allow protection of an entire infrastructure within a few minutes by less technical users and include advanced high quality search based on the natural understanding of the underlying data versus simple keyword based search technologies used today.
- Data Management Capabilities Will Be Critical To Compete In The New Revolution
Companies and individuals need to employ a comprehensive Data Management strategy to ensure they are protected and able to compete in the modern day. Users need to understand exactly where their data is located, how it is protected, and how it is accessed. The massive explosion of data will create unmanageable data environments for users if a complete strategy isn’t deployed in 2017.
Data protection and storage companies like Acronis are focused on providing a full suite of Data Management and Protection products that can be used for creating and maintaining a Data Management strategy in 2017 and beyond. This can only be achieved through advanced machine learning automation, natural user interfaces, advanced AI based search capabilities, advanced protection technologies based on blockchain, and active protection against cyber-attacks.