Blog - Feb. 15, 2024
The IT industry is in the midst of a vortex of transformation and innovation. With the merging of traditional IT markets and the ever-expanding field of cybersecurity, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and stricter regulations, the landscape is rich with both challenges and opportunities. Jasper van 't Wout, Chief Strategy Officer at Avit, takes you through the five key trends shaping the IT sector in the coming period.
1. Fusion of IT and cybersecurity.
We have seen the lines between IT networking and cybersecurity blurred for some time. As a result, traditional network infrastructure is undergoing a transformation, driven by the rapid adoption of cloud technologies and the increasing popularity of hybrid working, there is much more need for security. The merging of these two worlds presents a double challenge: While connectivity and flexibility are being improved, the space for a cyber attack is expanding, requiring a holistic approach to security.
2. Tightened laws and regulations.
The European Union is stepping up its regulations, particularly with regard to NIS2, which many organizations must comply with by the end of the summer. These directives, broader than before, bring with them a laundry list of requirements, including many technical requirements that must be completed. Remarkable is the changing attitude of companies; while they used to be embarrassed by a security incident, they now realize that no one is immune, the question is not if, but when the organization is going to be hit by an incident. Despite measures taken, watertight security remains a challenge. NIS2 requires companies to demonstrate that they have done everything possible to prevent security incidents. In addition, NIS2 emphasizes the importance of the supply chain: companies must go through the entire chain to ensure that security, as their suppliers could potentially cause vulnerabilities. The advent of API integrations in the chain further increases cybersecurity risk.
3. Talent shortages
Cybersecurity risks are on the rise, fueled by a wave of sophisticated cyber attacks. The shortage of specialized security IT professionals exacerbates this challenge. The labor shortage in the IT sector, especially in cybersecurity, affects both the Netherlands and Europe. This problem, caused by an aging population among other things, leads to an increasing workload which in turn results in a decline in the attractiveness of the field. The sector is also seeing an increase in burnout resulting in attrition. To address these challenges, companies need to invest in tooling, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. By making these investments, companies are less dependent on their employees and can strive for improved cybersecurity despite the talent shortage.
4. The increasing role of AI
AI opens up new possibilities and is often essential for solving complex issues. It enables complete automation beyond what traditional methods ever allowed. In Security Operations Centers (SOC) and Network Operations Centers (NOC) network environments, automation and AI plays an increasingly crucial role, where it predicts incidents and takes proactive measures. One of the most valuable applications is directing users to the right solutions, saving time and increasing efficiency.
5. Sustainability awareness
The demand for sustainable IT solutions is growing steadily, driven by a growing awareness of sustainability and a growing demand for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance. Both the market and the government are placing increasing emphasis on sustainability. For example, tenders from the government are increasingly assessed on sustainability where an increasing percentage of the assessment is related to sustainability, from concept to implementation.
Amidst the rapid transformations and challenges in the IT sector, organizations are challenged to not only strengthen their security practices, but also flexibly deal with sustainability and ESG standards as well as tightened laws and regulations such as NIS2, bringing both challenges and opportunities to the year.
