It can be challenging to keep up with the rapid advancements in technology, as well as the changing cybersecurity landscape. If you run a small to medium-sized business, you're likely tasked with staying on top of new developments in the technology world.
To help you prepare for the year ahead, here's an overview of IT and cybersecurity trends experts are already seeing, and what they predict for 2025.
1. AI Tools for Productivity, Efficiency, and Competitive Advantage
One of the hottest topics in modern technology is the emergence of AI tools for countless functions. Data analysts can leverage AI tools to quickly summarize large data sets, project managers can streamline tasks, and C-Suite executives can seamlessly manage their busy schedules.
In terms of IT, AI tools can offer businesses:
- Advanced AI cyber threat detection & response
- Intuitive tools to organize your workload & prioritize tasks
- Enhanced sales results through elevated competitive analysis, analytics, & more
Many businesses consider AI to be the new frontier of staying competitive in saturated markets. This technology is especially helpful in completing simple but time-consuming tasks.
However, you should be aware of the implications of implementing AI into your workplace. To read more about this, check out our blog: Ask the Expert: Responsibly Integrating AI Business Solutions
2. Sophisticated Cyber Attacks Using Social Engineering, AI
Hackers advance just as quickly as new cyber protections are released, and new technology creates more obstacles than ever in combating them. Social engineering is a common method for cybercriminals to access your network or steal money, with tactics such as:
- Phishing (spoofed emails)
- Vishing (fraudulent phone calls, sometimes with AI-spoofed voices)
- Pig butchering (long-game text scams that prime victims into giving away money)
- Pharming (spoofed websites made to look like existing businesses, injected with malware)
It may seem far-fetched, but regular business owners fall for these scams every day. Even a savvy lawyer in PA was tricked by an AI phone scam, which utilized his son's voice to induce panic.
Read more about common forms of social engineering in our blog: What is Social Engineering? Attacks, Techniques, and Ways to Avoid It
3. Remote Work is Here to Stay - Here's How That Impacts IT
The pandemic brought about the popularity of remote work, and the trend has stuck around. With so many companies offering work-from-anywhere flexibility, some employers are feeling the pressure to follow suit and offer hybrid or remote roles.
With this, comes inherent IT snags as remote employees can't stroll over to the IT department because of their technical difficulties. This creates a gap in IT capabilities. For example, if you keep all of your IT in-house, it could quickly overwhelm a small IT department with multiple remote seats needing setup and assistance.
Many businesses are moving to remote business IT support services to mitigate these technical obstacles. Since remote technicians are accustomed to assisting remote workers, many companies are having an easier time resolving tech issues with remote business tech support.
4. BYOD is Out
If your place of work offers some form of remote work, you've likely explored your options for company-provided vs employee-owned devices.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies have benefits such as cost savings and simplicity with onboarding. However, businesses may pay the price for skimping on technology costs, since BYOD is widely considered unsafe for cybersecurity reasons.
When you allow employees to use their own devices to perform work, you have almost no oversight on the security of their devices. Employee devices can be vulnerable to:
- Outdated software/neglected security updates
- Malware from different websites or external hard drives
- Data privacy issues with family members accessing devices
To read more about the tradeoffs with BYOD, read our blog: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policies: Benefits and Risks
5. Zero Trust is In
As an alternative to BYOD, businesses have largely shifted to security infrastructures like zero trust. This framework implements strict barriers to accessing a business network, with layers of security preventing any unknown user or software from entering.
Zero Trust accomplishes this by restricting access from any users or software that have not been reviewed or explicitly approved by your IT team. Businesses can implement this infrastructure into the operating systems of company-provided devices much easier than employee-owned devices.
Read more about Zero Trust and why experts recommend it for your business in our article: Zero Trust Is a Must to Combat Shadow IT, Zero-Day Attacks And More
6. Proactive IT Gains Popularity Over Reactive Post-Attack Measures
As more companies are burned by frustrating outages, devastating cyber-attacks, or expensive malfunctions, many are moving towards proactive IT planning.
As opposed to cleaning up after catastrophic IT blunders, proactive IT involves effective long-term budgeting, cyber readiness, and technology refreshments. This can prepare your business to lessen the risk of expensive downtime that could bring operations to a grinding halt.
Some aspects of proactive IT include:
- Implementing cybersecurity tools like multifactor authentication, training, and strong password requirements
- Reducing security risks through mitigation of unpatched software
- Creating technology roadmaps to refresh assets on a regular cycle
- Budgeting for steady cash flow instead of waiting for something to break and drain your resources
- Collaborating with IT experts on best practices for managing data overarching long-term projects
To read more about what it means to take the initiative with your IT strategy, read our blog: Proactive vs Reactive Cyber Security: Examples & Trade-Offs
7. Regulators Cracking Down on Data Security
You may think loss of public trust and ransomware payments are the biggest ramifications of data breaches. Yet, as cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and damaging to breach victims, local and national governing bodies are stepping in.
As of 2024, there are 17 US states with data privacy laws, and others are expected to follow suit. New York State, for example, is cracking down on large-scale breaches resulting from poor cybersecurity.
In 2023, the NYS Attorney General fined a home healthcare company $350,000 after an investigation revealed negligence in cyber protections. As recently as October 2024, Attorney General James fined another healthcare company based out of the Capital Region $500,000 after records of 200,000 state residents were compromised.
As regulators implement stricter policies and issue large fines for these incidents, businesses across the country are moving towards enhanced cybersecurity.
How to Keep Up With the Changing IT Landscape in 2025
It may seem overwhelming to keep up with rapidly changing IT trends, but there are several things you can do today to set yourself up for success. Some simple steps you can take to keep your business operating securely and efficiently include:
- Use recommended cybersecurity tools
- Update passwords & eliminate old accounts
- Train your employees on cyber safety
- Find a reputable cyber security assessment company for a thorough network audit
Another common decision business owners have made to keep up with modern IT is to invest in business IT services to support their infrastructure and day-to-day operations. Many have found that IT helpdesk services are more cost-effective than in-house IT, with more resources and experience at their fingertips.
To learn more about how IT support for small businesses can change the game for your IT and data security strategy, read our blog: How IT Support Services for Small Businesses Are a Secret Weapon For Success
If you're ready to secure and optimize your business technology in light of recent IT trends, click the button below to speak with a seasoned IT expert.
