The world of information technology is constantly in flux, presenting both opportunities and challenges for businesses. In a recent IT trends roundtable discussion, industry experts at Omega Systems explored the key trends shaping the IT landscape in 2024, focusing on innovation, cybersecurity, and the growing need for compliance management.
First on the webinar’s agenda: Microsoft Copilot, a powerful tool integrated into common applications like Outlook, Teams, and Word. Fueled by the recent release of Copilot, the tech world is abuzz with discussions about its potential to revolutionize productivity. Bob Mohr, a seasoned technical account manager at Omega, highlighted its transformative impact on efficiency and collaboration, outlining features like email summarization, real-time meeting insights, and AI-powered document creation assistance.
However, Steve Hathaway, head of solution architecture at Omega, emphasized the crucial need for striking a balance between productivity and security with any new technology like Copilot. He stressed the importance of understanding data storage practices and implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive information, ensuring that the benefits of increased efficiency don’t come at the cost of compromised security.
Building upon the transformative potential of Copilot, the discussion then shifted towards AI and automation’s broader impact on IT processes. Mohr explained how tools like chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine learning are not only streamlining tasks but also “contributing to improved security measures, including fraud detection and personalized marketing.”
Maryne Robin, a security and compliance consultant at Omega, introduced the zero trust security model, challenging the traditional assumption that internal networks are inherently safe. She emphasized the need for a proactive and layered security approach in an era of sophisticated cyber threats.
Acknowledging the persistent threat landscape, Robin outlined a comprehensive security stack for 2024. In particular, she advocated for endpoint detection and response (EDR) as a powerful tool for analyzing user behavior and isolating compromised devices. Additionally, Robin highlighted the importance of proactive threat hunting through managed detection and response (MDR) to address advanced threats.
Crucially, she also emphasized the human element as a company’s first line of defense, stressing the importance of cybersecurity awareness training for all employees, especially in the face of today’s hybrid work environments and their expanded attack points. She stressed the need for training to be relevant for various roles, including executives like CEOs and CFOs, who are often targeted with increasingly sophisticated social engineering attacks, including those employing artificial intelligence.
AI’s efficiency gains led to a discussion on hybrid cloud. While highly regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government, prioritize private cloud for security and granular control, Hathaway is seeing a broader shift. He noted a transition for many companies from on-premise solutions to hosted options that can often provide more flexibility and cost-savings. This, coupled with advancements in cloud-based directory services like Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and Google Workspace, can reduce reliance on on-premise servers.
However, Mohr emphasized robust access controls and data governance in hybrid environments. He reiterated the importance of the zero trust model, highlighting the need to verify not only user identities, but also device location and security.
Hathaway then showcased Omega’s experience in helping customers adopt a hybrid approach, eliminating some on-premise servers, moving a portion to the public cloud, and leveraging SSO solutions like Entra ID or Google Workspace to bridge the gaps previously filled by Active Directory. This allows organizations to balance private cloud security with public cloud’s flexibility and cost benefits.
Moving beyond technology solutions, Robin emphasized that compliance is not merely an option but a necessity in today’s environment with increasingly stringent regulations, especially regarding data privacy. While it doesn’t guarantee security, compliance management processes set the baseline for essential security controls. Robin discussed the challenges of effective compliance, including identifying sensitive data across diverse environments, and concluded by emphasizing the importance of active risk analysis, continuous monitoring, and adherence to compliance standards for a robust compliance strategy.
Embrace innovation, prioritize security, and understand the evolving compliance landscape to navigate the complexities of 2024 and beyond. Here are some actionable insights from our 2024 IT Trends webinar:
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