businesses, but also provides them with access to resources and infrastructure such as cloud computing, AI, and Big Data. This access can help businesses increase their efficiency, improve customer service, create new jobs, and introduce new products and services to more areas. Technology can be used for good to create access and opportunity for everyone; this trend will continue well beyond next year.

Cloud security

The prevalence of digital transformation has highlighted the need for improved edge and cloud security. Older systems are especially vulnerable, lacking the necessary modernization to keep up with cloud, container or edge technology. This has driven demand for IT modernization and cybersecurity, with the global cybersecurity market projected to reach $170 billion by 2023.

Technology spending is increasingly being devoted to software, hardware and cloud security, as reflected in a recent Spiceworks Ziff Davis survey. In 2023, cybersecurity will be in high demand due to the growing attack opportunities and unchanging software running corporate IT networks; sophisticated attack tactics such as quantum computing and geo-targeting phishing will be used to steal sensitive data or disrupt critical infrastructure, while increased global regulation with directives from the EU, US, and China will affect any business operating in those markets. To address this, 5G will be a critical enhancement, offering improved authentication, encryption, AI and machine learning, plus more granular control to help detect and respond to security threats. This extra control makes it easier to segment devices and data into smaller groups and target specific devices or data, enabling the adoption of zero-trust policies and design in both the public and private sectors. A healthy digital transformation is directly dependent on best-of-breed cloud security.

5G edge cloud to enable hyperautomation

As mentioned earlier in this article, while many advancements have been made in the last couple of years, the ability to scale will be prominent in 2023. IT infrastructure built years ago is no longer supported at the level cloud-native platforms are today. Cloud technologies must become core to operations to deliver digital capabilities anywhere and everywhere.

We are seeing this in the world of operational technology. Organizations are investigating areas where they can automate as many business processes as possible, and hyperautomation is one area that many operations teams are evaluating and testing for their own digital transformation strategies. These advanced automation technologies include artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. 5G edge cloud technology will bring the capabilities and benefits of cloud services closer to the user equipment at 5G speeds, which allows automated processes to run quickly and efficiently with even greater low latency and security—right when and where business happens. Due to their cloud-native architecture, edge cloud technology is easily scalable, allowing more connections and data to be accessed and processed faster. The automation of routine tasks and decisions allows valuable staff members to focus on strategic business decisions that emphasize value and lead to innovation.

My advice for IT professionals grappling with decisions about balancing resources and watching the bottom line is to take a step back and view the new year as an opportunity to invest in the future with new tools that exist now. We know that 5G, edge cloud, machine learning and automation are foundational to modernizing IT and building a better business. Do your research and embrace the plethora of exciting technologies that will allow all of us to innovate and reimagine how businesses connect and use information.