Top Technology Trends of 2021

By Michael Hensley, Director of Professional Services

Like millions of other people in the world, I’m looking forward to ridding my hands of 2020 and starting fresh in the new year. While the pandemic has left an indisputable mark on our planet, recent advancements in technology have provided much-needed hope and optimism for the future.

When looking ahead to the new year, here are some of the top technology trends that I anticipate taking hold in 2021:

Concentrating on cybersecurity

As online hacking incidents have become increasingly common, businesses and employees alike will face greater threats from cybercriminals in the year ahead. That’s why organizations need to double-down on their cybersecurity measures to keep their assets and people protected from online threats. From mandating employee cybersecurity training to enforcing digital enforcement mechanisms such as two-factor authentication, organizations should emphasize tactics such as these to remain adequately protected from potential threats.

Prioritizing the cloud

As the twenty-first century has long been dominated by data-driven technology, the cloud has also become an increasingly popular and innovative tool. As platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and other key players in the industry have witnessed incredible growth in recent years, the pandemic has forced businesses around the world to rely on these cloud-based servers to maintain business continuity. In 2021, keep an eye out for the increased use of public and serverless cloud platforms by organizations and developers alike.

Focusing on artificial intelligence (AI)

As the pandemic has expedited the growth and development of the AI and data analytics enterprises, these two initiatives will remain incredibly important in the year ahead. Organizations looking to drive improved insights and greater effectiveness in the realm of user experience will continue to rely on data science capabilities. It is clear that the utilization of AI will only expand in the near future.

Harnessing the power of 5G

While the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have flaunted flashy new 5G mobile networks in recent months, the rest of the world has yet to fully take advantage of this new technological opportunity. 5G networks have been touted to provide faster download speeds while enabling greater traffic capacity and overall network efficiency. It is no wonder why many companies will look to join the 5G revolution in the year ahead.

Committing to e-commerce

As consumers were forced to adjust to in-store shopping restrictions due to the pandemic, the e-commerce industry burgeoned with activity. In the United States alone, e-commerce sales have already risen by more than 30% in 2020 when compared to last year’s numbers. The tremendous rise in online shopping numbers should come as no surprise to onlookers. Even as physical restrictions are lifted in the months ahead, look for digital stores to continue to thrive.

Summary

Despite the widespread destruction caused by the pandemic over the past year, technological advancements have continued to accelerate at a rapid pace. Not only has humanity witnessed a tremendous degree of innovation and modernization, but our world has laid a suitable foundation that will foster and facilitate success for years to come. I hope these five trends can provide a proper indication of the types of technological progress to look out for as we enter the new year.

Interested in posing Michael a question about the future of tech in 2021? Connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at hensleym@lumestrategies.com.

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