Pittsburgh IT Trends: What's Next for Tech?

Did you know that Pittsburgh is considered one of the five hottest tech centers in the United States? According to theWall Street Journal, the combination of affordable housing, renowned university programs, and a hub of AI innovation has transformed the city’s reputation into one of the most tech-focused in North America.

The city’s commitment to tech brings unique opportunities for organizations, both in and outside of the industry. Here, we explore what’s next fortech in Pittsburgh – and how these developments matter most to local businesses, nonprofits, and professional service firms.

Stay Informed to Stay Ahead

Actively seeking out emerging technologies and integrating them strategically keeps your organization on the edge of security and innovation. Plus, a forward-thinking mindset can drive inspiration –and efficiency – within your team. Here’s how:

• Strategic Integration: Your organization will proactively utilize emerging technologies.

• Resilience Building: Enhance your team’s ability towithstand and adapt to rapid changes, uncertainties, and unexpected disruptions.

• Future-Proofing: Understand and unlock new growth opportunities to build towards long-term success.

“Technology disruptions and socioeconomic uncertainties require a willingness to act boldly and strategically enhance resilience rather than rely on ad hoc responses. IT leaders must ensure calculated risk, and make reliable and durable investments to sustainably enable both internal and external value creation.”

-Bart Willemsen, Gartner VP Analyst

5 Pittsburgh IT Trends You Should Know

Here are the top Pittsburgh IT trends to be aware of as we get further into 2024.

1. The Reality of Generative AI, Like Microsoft 365 Copilot

AI is changing everything for organizations in Pittsburgh and beyond. Tools likeMicrosoft 365 Copilot are quickly becoming essential workspace components. They automate routine tasks, generate helpful natural language, and provide insights into complex data. In doing so, they empower users to create, analyze, and communicate at an unprecedented scale.

But there’s a common misconception around AI: these tools aren’t meant to replace humans. Instead, they’re meant to help humans prioritize high-impact tasks. For instance, theAI and cloud computing can help an organization analyze and leverage vast amounts of data – potentially saving hours of work. 

The point is that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Instead, it’s an opportunity to learn and improve.

2. Continue to Improve Cybersecurity Protection

The development of AI and general digital innovation means an increase in cybersecurity threats. Dubbed the“year of deception” by IBM, the current landscape is rife with sophisticated tactics that target organizations of all sizes across the globe.

The World Economic Forumargues that organizations must prioritize the adoption of advanced cybersecurity strategies to safeguard their operations. This includes Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adoption and regular security training for team members. Maintaining a fierce and nimble culture that understands vulnerabilities while prioritizing cybersecurity is an effective deterrent.

3. Phishing, Scams, and More Phishing and Scams

One of the major threats to cybersecurity is phishing. These days, it’s not a matter of if it will happen, but simply when. Two-thirds of modern cyber attacks begin with phishing. Is your organization appropriately prepared?

Thesecybersecurity threats rely on social engineering to deceive individuals into revealing information or granting access to secure systems. You must implement advanced email filtering technology, conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training, and establish clear protocols to mitigate the threat.

Here are the common forms of phishing that Pittsburgh IT teams are preparing for in 2024 and beyond:

• Email Phishing: Fraudulent emails mimic legitimate sources to steal information.

• Spear Phishing: Personalized attacks targeting specific individuals for sensitive data.

• Whaling: High-level spear phishing aimed at executives for high-stakes information theft.

• Smishing: SMS texts trick recipients into revealing information or clicking malicious links.

• Vishing: Phone calls impersonate credible entities to extract personal or financial details.

• Pharming: Redirects users from legitimate to fraudulent sites to capture information.

• Clone Phishing: Replicates legitimate emails with malicious links as a "resend" or "update."

• Angler Phishing: Uses fake social media service accounts to solicit personal data.

Each of these phishing types uses different methods to exploit human psychology and the inherent trust in certain communications.

ViaCISA

4. Digital Twinning and Different Realities

Similar to cybersecurity, our digital and physical lives continue to blur more each day – from the ways we work to how we interact and solvecomplex problems.

Digital twinning is a concept that mirrors the physical world in a digital space. This technology enables the creation of a virtual model of anything – from a small component to entire ecosystems. Analyzing data from the digital twin allows organizations to predict how a product will perform under various conditions.

In particular, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are tools for digital twinning. AR overlays digital information onto the real world while VR immerses us entirely in a digital universe. Platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Slack have made remote collaboration possible, but digital twinning takes this concept to another level.

It remains to be seen how well this concept is received by the public, but with the implementation of technology from leading companies – such as theApple Vision – this shift seems as inevitable as it is divisive. The future, it seems, is a blend of realities, infinitely more malleable and interconnected than ever before.

Watch our free webinar: Key Digital Experience Trends Your Pittsburgh Business Needs to Address

5. Remote Work Is Now “Flexible” Work

Theconcept of work itself has evolved, and remote or hybrid work is now commonplace. The next evolution is the idea of “flexible work,” a model that blends remote work with traditional office environments to offer adaptability for both employers and employees.Flexible work arrangements have become the go-to solution for many teams.

This model prioritizes work-life balance and employee satisfaction, allowing employees to tailor their environments to fit their needs.

From aPittsburgh IT perspective, this means leveraging technology such as Microsoft 365 to facilitate collaboration regardless of physical location. Cloud-based computing and tools, such as project management software and virtual meeting platforms, mean teams can work together painlessly.

Ceeva is a Pittsburgh IT Team Built for the Future

The rate at which technology is changing can be scary. But don’t fear it. You have the opportunity to transform your organization into a model of the future by embracing the tip of the technology spear. 

At Ceeva, we’ve seen a lot of changes in tech since 1992. These new trends aren’t new. We’re ready to help you navigate this exciting new world. Want to learn how?Contact us today!