U N C O V E R I N G T H E L A Y E R S
Another major trend already having an impact is the tokenisation of real-world assets ( RWA ). This will have a direct impact on data infrastructure as more enterprises seek to hold , move and trade digital assets , with implications for cybersecurity , storage , cryptography and other data disciplines . With benefits such as near-instant transfer , settlements and reconciliation , tokenisation will also be a major element of environmental reporting and in areas such as carbon credits .
New architectures
Decentralisation in certain areas will also affect how applications and services are hosted and consumed . There are already predictions that decentralisation will facilitate new agile business ecosystems .
Yakov Danilevskiy – Vice President Strategy , Channels and Marketing
The needs of modern businesses , argues Accenture , along with advancements in digital technologies , are forcing a more decentralised digital operating model on many companies today . The monolithic applications of the past , it says , are giving way to purposebuilt applications and services that can be easily scaled using cloud , APIs and microservices . While centralised models offered greater control and visibility over network data , decentralised digital services are becoming essential for the adoption of new technologies and faster decision-making , while increasing resilience and security at the Edge . Those businesses that have already got a handle on Edge Computing will likely have a head start in understanding and accommodating decentralised architectures .
Cybersecurity
In the same way that AI and ML are being used in data centre operations for predictive and preventative maintenance , those same technologies are being used to similar effect in cybersecurity . AI supports the automation of threat detection and response , as well as monitoring and prevention functions .
AI will be a constant thread through all of these developments , accelerating their effects . Businesses need to prepare for an ‘ AI with everything ’ future , where AI is embedded , not tacked on .
Even cybersecurity professionals acknowledge that in this area , there are both promise and peril . AI-driven cyberattacks are inevitable , as is AI automation . Consequently , AI must be seen as both a tool and a vulnerability and treated as such .
Quantum Computing : Prepare now
Quantum Computing is developing at a rapid pace too , and even though experts believe practical quantum computers are still some way off , there are practical considerations before then such as postquantum cryptography .
Quantum supremacy , where quantum computers do what no classical machines can , may still be in the future , but when it arrives , current non-quantum systems need to be ready . Cryptography is a first step here , and the time to prepare is now .
Post-quantum cryptography is an area of activity where cryptographic algorithms have been developed to resist the power of quantum computers . The US standards institute has coordinated such work for some time now and has already released viable algorithms to allow businesses to secure sensitive data and processes , such as government , public services , financial services and national security .
These cryptographic measures are yet another example of the kind of computeintensive workloads that are likely to be faced by data centre owners and operators in the near future , which must be implemented efficiently , securely and with sustainability front of mind .
Looking forward , AI will be an ever more important workload for businesses , but it will also be a critical tool in enabling and managing the more complex and sophisticated data architectures necessary .
With considerations for cybersecurity , as well as future developments in computing , AI will be more integrated than ever before , requiring new levels of understanding and orchestration . Through careful application and broader awareness of impact , both positive and negative , businesses can optimise not just their data infrastructure but their whole organisation for the benefits . �
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