The only thing constant is change, and that’s definitely true when it comes to technology. If you’re wondering what the future holds for us in 2019, here’s a few things that tech experts are predicting will affect our homes, lives and businesses.
Cyber-attacks move into the real world
According to an Inc. Magazine article, experts are predicting that cyber-attacks will move from the digital world to the physical world in what they are calling “cyber-physical hacking.” Some examples include interference with things like manufacturing equipment, surveillance cameras, or data centers with the potential to shut down businesses or at least cost them a lot of money, along with even more invasions of identity and privacy. For everyone from the teenager using a computer at home to professionals and businesses, safe and strong security measures are an issue that will continue to be at the forefront of our future for a long, long time.
Online health care empowers consumers
Thanks to digital technology, consumers will become more empowered when it comes to their health care. Using the internet to shop for providers, compare health plans, and receive healthcare outside of the traditional doctor’s office will become more commonplace. Virtual “housecalls,” chats to receive instant information or feedback and other online services will also give more control to the consumer for how they receive and utilize their health care.
Online marketplaces the new norm
In 2018, the loss of Toys R Us, as well as the noticeable decline of Sears and JCPenney, are some of the most noticeable signals that online shopping is more than just a trend. The traditional brick-and-mortar marketplace is experiencing a rapid decline, and mainstays such as Walmart and Target are putting some serious effort into innovating their business model to serve the digital market. Online shopping is here to stay and you’ll see even more old-school department stores on their way out in 2019 unless they manage to adapt, and adapt quickly.
The year of blockchain
If you haven’t heard of blockchain yet, prepare yourself. With the growing prevalence of data breaches and the massively interconnected world we live in, new ways to verify identity and protect privacy will be game changers. Since the whole point of blockchain is to provide robust, incorruptible — yet encrypted — recordkeeping that can be easily verified, this is a natural progression.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably asking yourself right now, “What is blockchain?” Blockchain is the technology that underpins digital currency (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and the like). According to an article on BlockGeeks.com, here’s a quick explanation of how blockchain works:
“Picture a spreadsheet that is duplicated thousands of times across a network of computers. Then imagine that this network is designed to regularly update this spreadsheet and you have a basic understanding of the blockchain. The information is constantly reconciled into the database, which is stored in multiple locations and updated instantly. That means the records are public and verifiable. Since there’s no central location, it harder to hack since the info exists simultaneously in millions of places.”
Softcom will continue to grow
As technologies emerge and progress, here at Softcom we are committed to updating and adapting our network to meet our community’s demands for higher speeds and better connectivity. Personal experience and commitment to our community are the foundation of our company, and expansion and improvement is a constant here at Softcom. We are continually reinvesting back into the company so that we can deliver the best quality service for safe, speedy and secure online access to the world and all it offers. Watch our blog and social media in 2019 where we will continue to announce new expansions and upgrades throughout the year. And as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (800) 982-7675 or reach out on our Facebook page, we’re here to help you make 2019 the best year yet!