The information technology (IT) sector is an excellent field to be situated in this year. The combination of technological advancements coupled with increasing demand for technical skills is leading to vast opportunity growth in the industry. Canada’s tech sector in particular is booming. In 2019, it was named the fastest growing industry in the country. The tech industry is projected to continue down the same path in 2020.
According to the Comptia IT Industry 2020 Trends Report, IT professionals have a very promising outlook: “IT professionals should feel confident about their future prospects…the high demand for technology skills [can] lead to robust career options. There is also a sense that the importance of technology to business objectives makes technology a more integral part of business operations and gives IT pros an opportunity to play a role in the direction of the organization.”
In Canada, over 80% of IT professionals feel positive about their outlook in the field!
We are passionate about the IT industry here at Next Level Group. It’s imperative for us to keep on top of the latest technological trends – doing so allows us to excel at placing IT professionals in rewarding positions across the country.
Let’s take a look at some of the top technology trends for 2020: from the next wave in the Internet of Things to artificial intelligence, it is an exciting time to be working in the field. Looking for a new job? Find out how we can help you at the end of this post!
Internet of Things in 2020
Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea that objects can be connected through the internet, allowing more people and things to be in sync with one another than ever before. Long gone are the days where you could only access the internet from your computer or phone – an estimated 26 billion IoT devices are installed worldwide, with that number constantly climbing.
Workplaces and professionals that employ more of these devices are undoubtedly more streamlined and efficient, and the industry will soon be reaching beyond the professional world. An exciting development for this year will be the long-sought after concept of ‘smart cities’ beginning to take shape, with neighbourhoods and eventually whole cities being connected through the Internet.
However, greater implementation also means greater risk – experts predict that device and IoT hacking will become commonplace in 2020. Perhaps one of the biggest priorities for IT professionals to keep in mind this year are the heightened security and safety measures IoT devices will face. Having a good understanding of what measures can be taken to protect a company’s IoT devices and networks will certainly give you a leg-up against the competition when looking for a new IT position.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence has made waves in virtually every professional field: healthcare, marketing, education, recruiting, and many more. According to a recent survey, 59% of companies currently use AI or machine learning in some capacity, and that number is projected to keep growing as more brands jump on board. In the IT sector, the possibilities for deployment of AI are seemingly endless, and have already changed the field in several positive ways.
Contrary to many worries about a machine uprising resulting in a loss of human jobs, the future of AI will see a balance of human-machine work, and not a reliance on either. Analysts from the research group Forrester say that work will depend on “a symbiotic relationship between (hu)man and machine. This is not a (hu)man-led, machine-do structure; instead it will match leadership, decisioning, and executive tasks across robots and machines that best deliver the desired outcome.”
In fact, fewer than 5% of companies said they would deploy AI at an enterprise level, versus 20% just one year ago, citing understand the fundamental applications of AI and machine learning as the top priority, according to the annual PwC AI Predictions survey. Only once these fundamentals are perfected will the majority of companies begin to democratize more advanced AI uses. As an IT pro, don’t be surprised if teaching others in the workplace about AI basics becomes an even larger part of your role this year.
Changes to Cloud Services
When the cloud was introduced, any IT professional would agree that it was an absolute game-changer. The concept of accessing your files from someone else’s device was so innovative that is has become a must for many business’ file-sharing and collaboration efforts. Still, like most technology, the cloud presents some downsides. Threats, such as being very susceptible to hackers and other security issues, and drawbacks, such as having to rely on the internet in order to use it, have prompted developers to explore other options.
Emerging technologies such as mesh networks, which wirelessly use multiple networks more efficiently to transmit data, and edge computing, which keeps data moving on the periphery of a network rather than sending it into the cloud, are becoming more commonly implemented to improve response time and save bandwidth. Alternatives like these are being used more frequently in order to addresses the speed and security issues clouds sometimes face. They are also predicted to make IT work in general easier, faster, safer and overall more accessible.
The research on these new alternatives is nowhere near as extensive as the cloud but it is always interesting to keep an ear to the ground. In your next interview, consider starting a discussion on how you see it integrating into the modern workplace this year.
What’s Next in Cyber Security
The concept of cyber security isn’t necessarily a new trend for 2020, but it is changing with the times. While the influx of new technological advancements like Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are benefitting a lot of people and businesses in positive ways, they are also providing cybercriminals with new methods of attacking systems and putting companies at risk.
Staying attuned to the latest news in cyber security should be at the top of every IT professional’s list so that they can know and address the warning signs when they see them. According to Finances Online, the average time it takes for a security threat to be detected is 6 months, and cyber attacks can cost small businesses an average of $133,000 – this are grim statistics and many people’s lives could be improved if they were acted upon.
The Comptia report also notes that threats have become so prominent and worrisome that many businesses have gone so far as to treat cyber security as its own dedicated department, like accounting or HR. This allocates more time and energy to managing security threats, rather than dividing a general IT professional’s focus. So, if you are on the hunt for a new IT position, it could soon be a commonality for your job to deal exclusively with preventing cyber-attacks.
Are you passionate about technology like us? Are you looking for a new job? Well, you have come to the right place! At Next Level Group, we are dedicated to helping IT professionals find great positions to thrive in. If you need a hand in this, don’t hesitate to reach out today. You can email us directly or click here!