From Brexit to VR shopping to audio streaming: these topics will determine IT trends in 2018

Technological progress, political change, major sporting events and the further development of the entertainment industry - 2018 will undoubtedly be a big year for the Internet. Mark Weeks, Managing Director EMEA at Akamai, has ventured an outlook - and summarized the eight most important topics and trends of the coming year. Akamai offers content delivery network and cloud solutions.

1. virtual reality shopping revolutionizes the shopping experience

How does the new sofa look in the living room? How does it feel to drive the new car - without having to arrange a test drive? Virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality are still on the rise - and will have more real-world implementations by the end of the year, which will significantly improve the user experience.

2. companies must prepare for bot attacks

From smart doorbells to color-changing WiFi light bulbs, the use of standard passcodes makes IoT devices easy targets for hackers. Companies need to prepare for this - or face devastating consequences. Even something as innocuous as a WiFi thermostat connected to the corporate network can be misused to steal information.

3. video is king - especially in the mobile sector

It's all about video. And anyone who has already invested in a 4K TV will confirm that a good data connection is essential. Mobile operators in particular need to catch up here: The pressure is growing to deliver TV-quality experiences to smartphones and tablets as well - especially in view of next year's sporting events. 5G will undoubtedly play a big role in this. But operators must also look for other ways to improve quality in the meantime.

4. more safety for autonomous vehicles

It's one thing if the sat nav loses its signal for a short time - it's another thing entirely if it happens in a self-driving car. Starting with over-the-air (OTA) software updates, these security vulnerabilities need to be addressed. In addition, official regulations will be set for the first time in 2018 that will define the status of these technologies.

5. international sporting events cause a rethink in the communications industry

The whole world is eagerly awaiting the start of the soccer tournament in Russia. To make it work live, companies need to address challenges around international connectivity and data sovereignty. This is where one or two innovations could emerge - such as technology that identifies illegal streaming of copyrighted material.

6. HomePod will further advance audio streaming

The launch of Apple's smart speaker next year will amplify the Echo/ GoogleHome phenomenon and drive audio streaming in EMEA. According to market research firm Gartner, 75 percent of homes will have a smart speaker by 2020. Already, these are having a big impact on how we listen to music: More and more people are asking Alexa and co. to play their favorite song. Music that used to be transmitted by frequency is now transmitted by streaming and increases data traffic enormously.

7. basic data protection regulation is just the tip of the iceberg

The entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on May 25, 2018, is forcing companies to act quickly. It will bring major security challenges - especially with regard to the management of personal data.

8. Brexit makes cloud options more attractive

Keyword Brexit: What does this mean for companies doing business with the UK? Where is the best place to store their data? Cloud options and the ability to access apps remotely are becoming more attractive at this point - but of course these options also come with security issues. One thing is clear: 2018 will be a year when companies seriously consider whether it's better to store data locally or access it locally. (Mark Weeks/Akamai)