Based on the explosive growth of IoT devices, Axel Simon, Chief Technologist at HPE Aruba, makes the following predictions: First, he sees AI-based, autonomous security on the rise: "For example, AI-based, increasingly autonomous security technologies will become more prominent this year as emerging technologies such as IoT and edge computing applications require security practices that are a more efficient way to secure the enterprise. This trend is supported by the fact that organizations of all sizes will be affected by security breaches this year. Attacks are becoming more complex, extensive and persistent - carried out by coordinated teams of sophisticated hackers.

End of common network subscription models

According to Simon, the cloud-driven era is also bringing an end to network software subscription models. The reason is: Network switches, routers and controllers that stop working after the software subscription ends are harmful to businesses. When customers buy devices, they want full ownership of the features, functions and their network, not a ticking time bomb in the form of a service contract that could later hinder essential performance features, security functions and even connectivity itself. 2020 will therefore see the emergence of customer-first subscription models tailored to cloud-driven strategies that offer high added value and security.

Security - the big catch

While the increasing use of IoT devices provides companies with new data to make intelligent decisions about business operations, they can also provide a gateway for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. With over 70 billion devices expected to be in use by 2020 according to Gartner, securing these devices and using behavioral analytics will be critical to detecting IOC (Indicators of Compromise) in a timely manner. With organizations deploying more than 130 security programs and technologies on average, we will see an increase in integration and orchestration tools in 2020. This will allow these technologies to be used more efficiently for better threat detection and faster response.

Wi-Fi 6 - the 5G competitor

Despite initial enthusiasm, the introduction of Wi-Fi 6 in 2019 was met with only cautious optimism. Skeptics pointed out that while the increased bandwidth enabled by Wi-Fi 6 was impressive, it would not necessarily be used soon. As a result of continued Wi-Fi 6 innovation, Aruba predicts that 2020 will see the launch of a new range of Wi-Fi 6-based services that deliver the performance, availability and quality of service currently promised by technologies such as 5G. Wi-Fi 6 will be the preferred path to 5G for the majority of enterprise edge applications.

Software-defined WANs on the rise

With all levels of the distributed enterprise manageable from a single platform, complex WAN management activities for all branch offices and head-ends - data centers or public clouds - will be greatly simplified in 2020. IT teams will also be able to use the same platforms to standardize policies and management as well as network and security for LAN traffic. Across the LAN and WAN, a single button will monitor and manage enterprise applications for all users, gateways, access points, switches and other network elements, including IoT devices.