Cybersecurity Ranks as #1 Hottest Technology in the Computer Industry According to IEEE Computer Society

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Los Alamitos, Calif., 8 March 2016 — A recent survey by IEEE Computer Society of its members and non-members representing technology executives, middle management, developers, and academics, reveals current views on the hot technologies most impacting the industry. Not unexpectedly, cybersecurity ranked number one among all industry segments and among both professionals with less than 10 years’ experience and those with greater than 10 years. Fully, 56–58% of respondents said that this technology has the greatest impact on their industry.

Because cybersecurity is such a critical technology, IEEE Computer Society is exploring the topic at the Rock Stars of Risk-based Security symposium April 12 in Washington, D.C. As this most recent survey demonstrates, computing professionals understand that the reality is that many organizations will be attacked and a 100 percent security solution is not feasible, so advanced risk assessment and mitigation is really the order of the day.

Interestingly, after cybersecurity, the number two most influential technology was ranked differently depending on the size of company and experience of the respondents. In companies of greater than 100 employees and among respondents with more than 10 years’ experience, big data was deemed the second most important technology, while among companies of less than 100 employees and with professionals with less than 10 years’ experience, machine learning and intelligent systems ranked second.

The third ranked technology fragmented into a “who’s who” list of the most discussed technologies of 2016. All responding segments of the survey included these technologies as number three:

  • Biometrics
  • IoT
  • Embedded systems
  • Enterprise applications
  • Mobile applications
  • Robotics

When asked what technologies they expected to impact the profession over the next five years, respondents gave a wide range of answers signaling an exciting technology future. A few of these comments included:

  • 3D printing
  • 5G
  • Augmented reality
  • Autonomous driving
  • Cloud-based thin client workstation PCs
  • Cloud computing combined with deep learning
  • Deep learning
  • Improved mobile technologies
  • IoT
    A worldwide network for Internet of Things; expect the world to see “things” differently.
    IoT is gathering more relevance every day; interconnected devices will be more popular
  • Non-volatile memory
  • Personal supercomputing
  • Quantum coupling
  • Robotics and intelligent systems
  • And many, many more

According to Angela Burgess, Executive Director, IEEE Computer Society, “At the Computer Society, we keep in very close touch with the technologies driving the industry, so that we can help keep our members current in all the leading edge developments that impact their profession.”

About IEEE Computer Society

IEEE Computer Society, the computing industry’s unmatched source for technology information and career development, offers a comprehensive array of industry-recognized products, services and professional opportunities.  Known as the community for technology leaders, IEEE Computer Society’s vast resources include membership, publications, a renowned digital library, training programs, conferences, and top-trending technology events. Visit www.computer.org for more information on all products and services.