7 Technology Trends That Have Taken Over 2018

2018 has been a busy year for tech trends. In the past few months, the tech industry has seen many changes and advancements in the areas of data, privacy policies, and AI to name a few.  So, what are the seven tech trends expected to grow in influence for the remainder of 2018?

The Top 7 Tech Trends Dominating the Landscape in 2018

1. Data’s King

Companies have always had to deal with vast amounts of data, but until recently were unable to put their data to work for them efficiently. Now, with Business Intelligence (BI) and Business Analytics (BA), organizations are harnessing their data and using the information to make predictions about the future and enhance their bottom lines.

2. Recent Headlines Fueling Privacy Concerns

With recent news headlines regarding the misuse and management of data by Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, data privacy has become a considerable concern. Additionally, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) went into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR requires all companies with personal data of persons in the EU to have data privacy officers (DPOs). These DPOs are responsible for the oversight and protection of PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and will become more prevalent as other countries strengthen their privacy regulations.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Keeps Growing

AI is becoming an essential part of emerging technology. Once a purely theoretical idea, AI is now becoming a vital tech and business tool. Organizations are using AI and AI driven tools to improve many business functions. These functional areas include business strategy (BI and BA) and program management.

4. Cloud Impacted by AI

Everywhere you go today, everyone talks about the Cloud. As more companies move to a cloud-first strategy, changes in cloud platforms are occurring rapidly. Most of these changes are to support AI and machine learning.

5. Security – With a Focus on Offensive Security

Security is at the forefront of the minds of business leaders in 2018. No company is safe from a cyberattack, whether you are a corporate giant or a small business. Because of this, a focus on offensive and defensive security, vulnerability assessment, and incident response have become popular interest areas.  

6. 5G

5G could be a real game-changer for not only the tech industry, but the entire world, since 5G could be almost 10 times faster than 4G. Per a recent Forbes article, “it’s possible that we could have a 5G network in place — with 5G phones by 2019.” Thus, in “2018, it is going to be a year of massive preparation for engineers, developers, and consumers, as they gear up for a new generation of internet.”

7. Blockchain – A Life Beyond Bitcoin?

Blockchain technology allows for recording transactions of digital assets. The technology itself is hard, if not impossible to manipulate, making it a secure way to keep transactional data. It is especially useful for data that doesn’t originate with a traditional ‘trusted source,’ such as a government organization or financial institution.

Blockchain is primarily specific to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. However, blockchain technology can be used for any recordkeeping or ledger-based activity that requires a high degree of integrity. Industries that deal with fraud issues and require secure bookkeeping could find blockchain valuable.

Planning Ahead

2018 has been a very busy year for tech trends. For tech professionals to stay competitive in the market, it is vital to be aware of how trends affect their careers, especially for professionals who work in IT contract employment.

If you are an IT contract professional with questions about how tech trends will affect your career, it is best to contact a professional recruiter today. At ASB Resources, we are experts in preparing our candidates for contract employment.