With the start of a new year comes new opportunities, goal setting, strategic business planning and excited optimism for the road ahead. As you get ready to take on the new year, consider the tech tools that lie at your fingertips, ready to accelerate you and your team forward. Technology is the driving force of the future, constantly enriching our lives and shaping the world around us. From automation to cybersecurity and cloud computing, keep reading to discover the IT solutions that will help businesses thrive in 2022 and beyond.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity takes the spotlight again in 2022 as cybercriminals develop craftier ways steal critical data and cripple businesses. With work from home environments expanding to work from anywhere and more devices connecting to the internet every day, hackers are poised to exploit new vulnerabilities. With sophisticated attacks brewing daily, businesses will have to keep cybersecurity front of mind to safeguard data. Just as in previous years, human error will continue to be a major contributing factor to breaches, making cybersecurity awareness training a critical component of any security strategy. This year will likely see an increase in cyberattacks due to the emergence of new technologies and an increase in Internet of Things (IoT) devices (think smartwatches and smart home security systems). Researchers at Kaspersky detected 1.5 billion attacks against Internet of Things (IoT devices) in 2021, a number that is expected to rise this year as more devices rely on internet connectivity. As businesses work diligently to increase their security efforts and protect hybrid work environments, cybercriminals are working just as hard to find new ways to exploit security gaps. Business owners can no longer afford to settle for a “what if” scenario. Staying on top of the raging cybersecurity battle means companies need a reliable solution in place to strengthen their defense against threats and protect their digital environment.
Top cybersecurity trends to look out for in 2022 include:
- Businesses adopting a zero-trust security model – An approach that allows businesses to maintain strict access controls and assumes no one can be trusting by default whether inside or outside the network.
- An increased prevalence in deepfake crime – Content created with artificial intelligence and used by cybercriminals to impersonate the likeness of someone else.
- Cybersecurity training and adopting a cybersecurity culture – Investing in cyber awareness training and, more importantly, going one step further to harness a culture focused on cybersecurity will help businesses prepare for the flaming darts cyber criminals throw their way. It’s worth noting that practicing good cyber hygiene can halt 80% of data breaches.
- Increase in cybersecurity budgets – More business leaders are determined to protect critical data and invest in the future. Kaspersky research shows that 85% of IT decision makers in North America plan to increase their cybersecurity budget up to 50%.
Digital Collaboration and Tools for Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is here to stay, thanks to supportive technology and the development of team collaboration apps like Microsoft Teams. In 2022, we can expect to see businesses continue to modernize and digitize their workspaces as they transform their workflow. Selecting products and services geared toward employee experience will aid in building new social connections, especially in hybrid work environments. Digital transformation will continue to benefit businesses, offering innovative tools to improve team communication, drive internal efficiencies and meet job demands – no matter the location. Adopting tools for project management, appointment scheduling, file sharing, cloud storage, video conferencing and maintaining reliable internet will play a big part in team collaboration this year. Tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint and OneNote are just a few great options available for hybrid teams today.
Cloud Computing & Cloud Security
In 2020, many businesses raced to the cloud and remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to 2022, business leaders are poised to make strategic decisions centered around their cloud environments. With public, private and hybrid cloud environments to choose from, there’s something for every business. For many companies, this move sparked a long overdue advancement in their digital presence, offering benefits such as reduce operating costs and quick access to data. This year, businesses will continue to implement cloud computing to bolster company initiatives. As more companies migrate sensitive data to the cloud, cloud security must be strengthened. Business leaders will need to carefully consider how the cloud environment is built, how their data is migrated as well as cloud security challenges such as misconfiguration of cloud infrastructure and individuals gaining unauthorized access to enhance their security posture.
Automation Tools and Solutions
A familiar friend in the tech industry and a secret ingredient for success among businesses, automation is expected to surge in 2022. Designed to transform business operations and processes, automation tools have a lot to offer teams of all sizes. What was once viewed as a technology to merely eliminate repetitive tasks is now considered a top investment and critical component of modern, digital businesses. Today, business leaders are eager to use automation to enhance operations among cross-functional teams, capture valuable insights, improve employee and customer experiences and accelerate business growth. When tailored to business needs and used strategically, automation solutions will help businesses thrive this year and beyond.
The tech industry has some exciting solutions in store for business owners this year, offering ways to streamline processes, tighten up on security and optimize hybrid work environments. With the proper IT solutions in place, teams in all industries will be able to increase productivity and profitability and unlock their full potential.
Looking for additional tech tools to boost productivity and automate daily tasks at work? Check out these 6 Types of Tools Your Enterprise Can’t Go Without.
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