March 2016 Emerging Trends
"There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed."
-- Ray Goforth

3 Fundamentals Every IT Strategy Needs







                                                
When running a business, you can't always upgrade your technology to the latest and greatest equipment or software every time something new comes out. Yet, you also don't want to be left behind, which would be limiting to your growth and mobility. Moving forward can be a daunting task, especially if you haven't revamped your IT strategy in some time. Paying attention to the details is an important part of avoiding potential roadblocks with your future IT strategy.

Before you charge forward, take a moment to reconsider your current IT strategy, and make sure that it suits the needs of your business. Here are three aspects you should look at when thinking of your IT infrastructure.

Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin
A classic reason that IT departments are unable to accomplish their multitude of tasks is that they have too many responsibilities, or lack the time or resources necessary to fulfill their duties. This happens when an IT department has several new initiatives that need to be deployed, but doesn't have the staff to implement them. Essentially, what happens is that nothing at all will get done because IT will be too busy putting out fires and responding to urgent problems to do anything else.
Should We Be Scared, Skeptical, or Hopeful about the Near Future of Technology?







                                                
The introduction of new and exciting technologies keeps changing the ways people interact. Innovations such as email, instant messaging, and the development of mobile devices are now turning out to be just fundamental steps to a more connected planet. The Internet of Things is set to turn human civilization on its head. What does this shift mean for the immediate future?

Computers. Computers Everywhere!
Next time you are walking down the street, stop using your smartphone for a few minutes and watch all the people on the street with you. A good number of them, especially if they are alone, are doing what you were just doing, looking at their smartphone. With so many people tied to their devices, the demand for systems that integrate with these devices is at an all-time high.

Are Vigilante Hackers a Threat?
2015 was a brutal year for major corporations, as one by one they fell victim to hacking attacks. Major organizations like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, and even the United States Office of Personnel became victims of major hacking campaigns. A fact that's often lost amongst these details is that not all hackers use their skill for evil actions, even if they are still illegal.

As a matter of fact, there are many hacking organizations that use their skills for the benefit of mankind. Even though this type of "vigilante" activity is frowned upon, it doesn't help that pop culture icons like Batman, the Green Arrow, and pretty much any fictional superhero in existence defy these laws. There are times when it seems like it takes a criminal to beat a criminal, but we have to take into account what it means to let these vigilante hackers get away with these acts.

In many cases, the organizations and political entities that these "hacktivists" target are difficult for authorities to track down and punish. Hacktivists tend to take the fight to exceptionally dangerous organizations or individuals. The recent hacking attacks of ISIS at the hands of high-profile hacking group Anonymous come to mind, in which Anonymous targeted the terrorist group's social media sites, which are often used to gather and recruit followers. Just last October, Anonymous also revealed the identities of several suspected Ku Klux Klan members.

While it works in the movies, the presence of vigilante hackers reveals a major flaw in the way that society handles questionable online activity. We, as a people, have allowed the Internet to become a place that breeds danger, hatred, bigotry, and fear-mongering. Whether or not the activities of Anonymous are ethical is up for debate, though it needs to be mentioned that their activities are still illegal and shouldn't be condoned. 

What Makes Windows 10 Twice and Popular as Windows 8?
Microsoft's most recent addition to the Windows family of operating systems, Windows 10, is full of new features, but when it comes to implementing it, many businesses are still dragging their heels. However, the primary reason for this seems to be the fact that organizations want to make sure Windows 10 won't break their IT infrastructure. Despite this handicap, Windows 10 is still being tested on twice as many PCs as Windows 8 was following its release.

According to Spiceworks, 18 percent of businesses are testing Windows 10 for use with their organization, while only 9.3 percent of businesses were testing Windows 8 when it was released. What does this mean for Windows 10? For one, it shows that there's much more interest in the OS than there was for Windows 8. This is important for Microsoft, especially due to the disappointing sales figures seen with Windows 8. Microsoft needed a way to get back in the game, and it seems Windows 10 was right on the money, as 94 percent of IT executives have expressed interest in Windows 10, so it's just a matter of making sure that it works properly with mission-critical technology.


Why is Windows 10 being tested by so many more businesses than Windows 8 was? According to Spiceworks, it's several combined conveniences which contribute to increased interest in Windows 10:

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