Digital & Disruptive: Our 2016 Predictions

Happy New Year!

2016 is now upon us, and we expect it to bring about plenty of exciting and disruptive changes to technology.

What insights do we have?

What we will see and hear more about?

We’re lacking a crystal ball, so it’s difficult to say for sure. That being said, we’ve paid close attention to leaders in the tech and media sectors, and we’ve identified some newsworthy trends.

Let’s take a look at what 2016 might hold:

Data Security Is a Very Big Deal

It should come as no surprise that security concerns for increasing cyberattacks will play a major role in refining business infrastructure. If you were a Target or Home Depot customer over the past couple years, you may have already experienced the tragic consequence of growing cybercrimes. Between the two incidents, over 100 million credit cards were exposed to unwelcome parties.

Data losses and major breaches of large companies are drawing out the necessity of robust cybersecurity. Since the consequences of inadequate security protocols can be drastic, don’t be surprised to witness a substantial increase in demand for cyber insurance during 2016. Being a victim of a cyberattack can be expensive, and cyber insurance can help mitigate the risk of costly repairs and legal battles.

For all developers and code monkeys out there, you can also expect to see a shift in algorithm and detection mechanisms pertaining to software security. Software is typically developed with a safeguard to check for the presence of malicious code, but this process may become obsolete in the coming years.

Rapidly evolving cyberattacks may necessitate the development of security measures that continuously monitor networks for all suspicious activity. Simply put, predicting the “how” of future attacks has become even more complex, and a more sophisticated defense model will likely be required for all companies holding sensitive, electronic data.

Virtual Reality (VR) May No Longer Be Constrained To Sci-Fi Movies

Don’t let the dangers of cybercrime stress you out too much as you welcome in 2016 – there’s fun and intriguing predictions on the way, too. Any die-hard Matrix or Tron movie fans that have dreamed of the opportunity to experience virtual reality just might see it realized – and very soon!

It’s apparently not going to start with movies (though it’s most likely destined to take on that direction soon enough). Instead, VR technology pioneers are focusing on the video game market. Substantial investment has been poured into virtual reality research and development over the past year, and the market’s dominating forces – Facebook, Microsoft, Sony, and others – are putting the final touches on virtual headset platforms that are affordable for everyday consumers.

The prospect of high definition holograms is expected to dazzle segments of gamers, but it also paves the way for more practical uses. For example, an engineer may be able to use holograms to construct a vehicle prototype in minutes. Perhaps an executive could start conducting VR meetings to view the real-time faces of 5-10 other employees, including visual representations of their work and ideas floating above their heads.

For now . . . you can expect a marketing push towards entertainment use, as many video game enthusiasts have been hungry for the VR experience for a long time. Sooner or later, you’re going to start spotting primetime commercials that show off the futuristic themes of the world’s first VR technology systems.

The Internet of Things and Your Home

The “internet of things” is often used to reference the integration of computer and internet technologies with physical objects. Among innovators, this is evolving into a concept that relates to efficient monitoring of objects in your home – i.e. a “connected” home.

Imagine having a single interface – perhaps usable through your mobile phone or car – that allows you to keep 24/7 tabs on all important security features, electronics, and appliances in your house. Want to monitor the status of your security system while on vacation, hundreds of miles away? No problem, whip out your “connected home” interface. Accidentally leave your garage door open on your way to work? It’s all good; you’ll be able to close it by using your smartphone.

Much of this technology already exists, but there’s one underlying problem. No integrated platform exists. In other words, you may be able to use your mobile device to monitor your home’s security system, water pressure, and appliances – BUT you’ll be using three very different dashboards, each with their own credentials, to do this. Not exactly an efficient “connected” home.

As 2016 progresses, expect to hear updates from companies that are looking to consolidate connected home monitoring and reporting. If consumers are going to expect to have more control over their homes while not physically present, a simplified, “Do It All” platform will be required to make daily monitoring routines tolerable.

Sources:
https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2015/12/2016-tech-predictions
http://www.computerworld.com/article/3007990/it-management/forecast-2016-5-fast-track-trends-to-tackle-now-and-one-to-ignore.html
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=13ccd6ed-4a11-4ca5-b3df-01574a997e3e
http://www.futuretimeline.net/21stcentury/2016.htm