The modern workplace, zero trust security and business-driven networks: 3 top trends

When it comes to technology, the only constant is fast-paced change. This can make it challenging for organizations to keep their IT environments up to date.

Cisco Live Amsterdam was once again a showcase of technology trends, and we were there to share NTT DATA's knowledge and experiences – including three key trends to keep in mind when you start exploring innovative technologies. By understanding these trends and how they are evolving, especially because of advances in AI, your organization can stay ahead of the curve as new challenges and opportunities emerge.

Each of these trends presents both risks and rewards, but embracing them strategically can propel your business to new heights.

1. Transforming the workplace to improve employee and customer experience

The hybrid work model is rising in popularity. Nearly 60% of employees around the world are following a hybrid work model or working remotely all the time, according to NTT DATA’s 2023 Global Employee Experience Trends Report.

Hybrid workers expect the workplace to deliver an employee experience (EX) that they cannot get from home – an experience that makes the commute worthwhile – and this goes well beyond access to fundamentals such as a desk and an internet connection.

At the same time employers are also seeking to make the workplace a more productive, collaborative and sustainable environment especially those visited by their customers or where remote work is not feasible e.g. hospitals or factories.

Here are the technology trends influencing (and being influenced by) new ways of working:

• Investing in digital connectivity and collaboration tools enables employees to contribute to projects from diverse locations and strike a balance between autonomy and team collaboration. These investments may include mobile device management, business-grade internet connections, and applications such as Microsoft Teams.
• Cloud technology supports improved employee performance because employees can work from anywhere, using a wide range of corporate and personal devices. According to the EX trends report, 95% of organizations believe cloud solutions are vital for enabling outcomes related to EX.
• AI can help by automating administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, sending emails and managing documents. This frees up employees’ time so that they can focus on more strategic tasks. Additionally, AI-enabled personalized learning experiences will help employees update their skills.
• ALSO READ → Get ready for GenAI to transform your business operations
• Workplace transformation contributes to sustainability by reducing the need for physical office space and using technology to monitor and adjust the physical environment. This reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. Additionally, encouraging employees to work remotely can not only save them commuting time but also reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

The hybrid work model is set to become even more prevalent in 2024. According to our EX trends report, 88% of organizations say improvements to their physical office environment have an impact on their bottom line. By investing in AI and other technologies, you can meet the needs of your employees and remain competitive in the marketplace.

2. Changes in cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a pressing concern in any workplace, no matter the size of the organization. Amid an ever-increasing number of cyberthreats – with cybercrime costs expected to rise to USD 10.5 trillion by 2025 –  IT teams have to be more proactive than ever in protecting their data and systems.

Key trends affecting cybersecurity in 2024 include:

• The continued rise of AI and machine learning. This is having a significant impact on cybersecurity. AI can be used to automate security tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic initiatives. Machine learning can detect anomalies in network traffic and user behavior, which can help you identify and respond to threats more quickly. These technologies are also improving the efficiency and accuracy of biometric security measures such as facial or voice recognition.
• An increasing number of regulations and compliance requirements. It’s becoming more and more difficult for organizations to stay compliant. You have to be aware of the regulations that apply to your organization and put processes and procedures in place to ensure compliance – which adds to the complexity of your security operations.
• A growing number of connected devices and IoT. Because these devices often have weak security measures, they are vulnerable to attacks – and this creates new security challenges. Have a plan in place to secure IoT devices and monitor them for suspicious activity. A zero trust security framework can be useful in this regard.
• More employees working remotely all or some of the time. The changing nature of work has also changed the traditional idea of a security perimeter, so you need to have measures in place to protect your data and systems – even when your employees are working outside the office.
• ALSO READ → What is enterprise network security?

3. New demands on the network

The demands of new ways of working and the increased need for cybersecurity are placing additional demands on your network. The key trends this year include:

• AI and machine learning: These technologies are found in a growing number of applications, including network management. They can help to identify and resolve network issues, manage your network bandwidth and optimize your network performance. AI and machine learning are also increasingly applied in network security to identify and block attacks.
• IoT: The number of IoT devices deployed by organizations – often as part of an edge computing strategy – is growing rapidly. This growth is being driven by the increasing affordability of IoT devices and the development of applications that make use of them. These developments will place new bandwidth and security demands on your network – so, be prepared to support this growth.
• Private 5G: Its lower latency and ability to connect operational technology devices over larger distances with less frequency interference make it a game-changer for many industries. Also, 5G networks can support a higher number of connected devices in a given area. NTT DATA’s Private 5G goes a step further: it’s a custom-built 5G implementation stretching from design to management and optimization. We’ll be demonstrating our Private 5G solution at a special booth at Cisco Live Amsterdam, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more.
• ALSO READ → AI, edge and 5G in the spotlight at MWC Las Vegas
• Software-defined infrastructure: This approach to networking allows you to control your network programmatically. It gives you more flexibility and control over your network, and it can improve network security and performance.

Make sure you are among the more than 80% of organizations worldwide that are focusing on enabling new network technologies in 2023–4, with cloud-based network management, AIOps and private 5G as the top three investment priorities, according to NTT DATA’s 2022–23 Global Network Report.