What’s Next for IT? Exclusive Leader Insight Q&A

In Chamber Blog by DC

NVC is your gateway to the region’s most influential industries. As we celebrate 100 years, we're connecting with trailblazers shaping the future across industries. 

This month, we’re spotlighting the booming Information Technology (IT) community—a global powerhouse. Northern Virginia, home to the world’s largest and fastest-growing data center market, has experienced a staggering 500% growth from 2015-2023, with a capacity nearly three times that of Singapore, the second-largest market. Hosting over 300 data centers and approximately 17,000 tech companies, Northern Virginia leads the tech industry, driving innovation and shaping the future.

Read our latest Q&A with IT Industry leaders below:

Gautam Ijoor, President and CEO of Alpha Omega Integration

Q: What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on IT trends by 2025 and beyond?

I see three key trends in emerging technologies that will shape IT in the coming years. The first is Agentic AI. Tools like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) often provide vague or “fuzzy” responses. That’s fine for certain cases, but falls short when precise, deterministic outcomes are needed. Agentic AI is set to change that by replacing this fuzziness with more nuanced decision-making capabilities, making it a game-changer for applications that demand reliability and precision. The second trend is Large Event Correlation in Cybersecurity. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly with AI, and defensive cybersecurity has been struggling to keep up. By 2025, advancements will provide deeper visibility and enable near-real-time threat detection by correlating seemingly unrelated events. The third trend is User Experience (UX). This might sound like a buzzword, but it’s especially relevant to the federal government, where services need a revamp. By 2025, we’ll see significant improvements in how federal services are designed and delivered, making them more intuitive and accessible for citizens.

Q: How do you foresee the evolution of cybersecurity challenges, and what strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks?

The defensive cybersecurity needs real-time events correlation to identify the emerging threats. Applied machine learning in the cyber field will be essential to mitigate future risks. Compliance activities will be assisted with AI since the timelines to complete them have well exceeded the yearly cycles. As cyber-attacks shift from typical IT systems to utilizes, energy grids, and first responders, the need for cyber educated domain experts will increase. Case in point: DHS CISA is hiring climatologist to understand how cyberattack coincides with natural disasters.

Q: With the rise of AI and machine learning, what role do you see these technologies playing in transforming business operations in the next decade?

Non-critical decision making will be delegated to AI and RPA processes. Business operations evolve to increase productivity. The natural progression of the productivity boost is to use AI. Many business operations have well-defined playbooks which will be turned into decision bots using deterministic AI and RPA implementations. for example: IT modernization will be largely assisted with AI and ML to boost the speed to market.

Q: What shifts in global IT infrastructure do you anticipate, and how will they affect the way businesses operate across borders?

Geopolitical conflicts, privacy, and security will force businesses to stash the data in localized infrastructure within each region and connect it with sophisticated data fabric to drive inter-continental insights and decision-making. This will increase adoption of edge computing and push the hyper-scalers to have a presence in all geopolitical regions where customers exist, and law mandates the privacy controls.

Q: In your view, what will be the key drivers of growth for the IT industry moving forward, and how can companies best position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities?

The key drivers of growth will be the exponential productivity boost brought forth by AI-assisted decision-making, stronger cyber posture, and the sheer speed of innovation made possible by freeing up the time of valuable contributors in these companies.

Kendall Holbrook, CEO of Dev Technology Group

Q: What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on IT trends by 2025 and beyond?

Definitely AI/ML, automation, and cyber technologies. Everyone is looking for ways to be more efficient, to analyze large data sets and to secure our systems and data. Agentic AI seems to be the next thing in AI.

Q: How do you foresee the evolution of cybersecurity challenges, and what strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks?

Those who wish to do harm are as savvy as those who are trying to protect our systems and data. Recently, we have seen a spike in fraudulent job applications and those looking for jobs are seeing fraudulent job postings. It is very difficult to weed out the bad actors. That is just one example, but there are many.

Q: With the rise of AI and machine learning, what role do you see these technologies playing in transforming business operations in the next decade?

I think we will see more AI-based solutions that will make us more efficient. We will see more AI Agents assisting with finding information and data, saving man hours to focus on more creative and strategic work. We already use AI for proposals and within our recruiting function, automation in our accounting functions, and we are looking at other ways to integrate it into our operations.

Q: In your view, what will be the key drivers of growth for the IT industry moving forward, and how can companies best position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities?

Technology is moving quickly. Companies will need to find ways to keep up with what is coming and be flexible enough to pivot to stay relevant.

Pallabi Saboo, Executive Chair and Founder of Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC

Q. What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on IT trends by 2025 and beyond?

In the near future, I believe that innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology will have the most significant impact. Recently, Trump announced a $500 billion investment in both physical and virtual infrastructure to support the next generation of AI. Nextgen AI application will be pervasive with firms using it for enhancing decision-making, driving automation, improving customer experiences, combating sophisticated cyber threats, etc. Quantum computing, I believe, will also see substantial innovation and application, addressing very large complex problems, optimization challenges, cyber threats, and cryptography. Similarly, I think in the post covid world biotech will continue to receive significant investment, leading to innovations in health care such as gene editing, personalized medicine, and synthetic biology.

Q: How do you foresee the evolution of cybersecurity challenges, and what strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks?

Cybersecurity challenges are becoming increasingly sophisticated. AI and machine learning are being used to create hard to detect malware and phishing schemes. Proliferation of IoT devices, cloud computing, and remote work is significantly increasing entry points for cyber-attacks making it challenging to secure all endpoints and networks. Quantum computing advances are rendering the current encryption methods insufficient. Additionally, ransomware attacks and data breaches are becoming more frequent.

To help mitigate these challenges we will need to utilize AI and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time to identify and mitigate threats, implement a Zero Trust security model doing identity verification for anyone accessing resources within a network, develop quantum-resistant encryption algorithms, have frequent software updates and patches, and develop quick incident response and recovery plans. The most important mitigation, however, comes from each one of us being diligent in looking out for cyber threats, using strong passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication, etc.

Q: With the rise of AI and machine learning, what role do you see these technologies playing in transforming business operations in the next decade?

AI and ML benefits will be pervasive—driving significant improvements across the entire operations of any business.AI and ML can analyze vast amounts of data quickly to provide actionable insights, enabling businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions. It will enable automating routine and repetitive tasks and will free up employees to focus on more complex and creative work. AI-driven analytics can help businesses understand market trends, customer preferences and behaviors, allowing highly personalized marketing and customer service. In industries like manufacturing, AI can predict equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. In supply chain businesses, AI can create optimization by predicting demand, managing inventory, and identifying potential disruptions.

Q: What shifts in global IT infrastructure do you anticipate, and how will they affect the way businesses operate across borders?

We are witnessing several shifts in global IT infrastructure. The increasing adoption of hybrid cloud solutions, which combine private and public cloud services, offers greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. This enables companies to manage their resources more effectively and respond quickly to changing market demands. The expansion of 5G networks will enhance connectivity and data transfer speeds, facilitating real-time communication and collaboration across borders. This will support the growth of IoT devices and enable new applications in areas such as remote work, telemedicine, and smart cities. Additionally, we are seeing increased cybersecurity measures, such as implementing zero trust architectures, AI-driven threat detection, and quantum-resistant encryption, to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with international regulations. There is also a trend towards global data interoperability, which will facilitate smoother cross-border operations. This will enhance collaboration, reduce data silos, and improve overall business efficiency.

Q: In your view, what will be the key drivers of growth for the IT industry moving forward, and how can companies best position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities?

Some of the key drivers of growth include AI and machine learning, cybersecurity solutions, IoT solutions and services, quantum computing, and digital transformation. To be best positioned for the future, companies need to embrace emerging technologies and be willing to disrupt traditional business models. They should invest in cybersecurity, leverage data analytics to gain insights and drive decision-making, and invest in training their employees with the skills needed to work with emerging technologies. Additionally, companies should develop a comprehensive digital strategy that leverages cloud computing, AI, and big data analytics to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experiences.

Pinakin Patel, CEO of IT Concepts Incorporated

Q: What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on IT trends by 2025 and beyond?

Emerging technologies are set to reshape IT trends by 2025 and beyond. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will continue to revolutionize industries with advanced predictive analytics, automation, and personalized services. Generative AI is enhancing creativity in various fields, while AI governance ensures ethical AI deployment. High-level computing promises to solve complex problems beyond classical computers, transforming cryptography, optimization, and simulation tasks. Additionally, hyper-automation, integrating AI, ML, and robotic process automation (RPA), aims automate and modernize complex organizational processes, driving efficiency and reducing human intervention in repetitive tasks. These technologies are not only transforming IT but also creating new opportunities and challenges that will shape the future landscape.

Q: How do you foresee the evolution of cybersecurity challenges, and what strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks?

The evolution of cybersecurity challenges has been marked by increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks. To mitigate these risks, organizations will need to adopt a multi-layered plan. This includes regularly updating and upgrading software to close vulnerabilities, implementing zero-trust security by assuming no user or device is trustworthy by default and requiring verification for every access request, enforcing strong authentication with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security, and educating employees on recognizing phishing attempts and practicing good cyber hygiene.

Additionally, organizations should use advanced threat detection powered by AI and machine learning to identify anomalies and respond to threats in real-time, while also developing a clear, actionable incident response plan to prepare for potential breaches. Finally, conducting regular security audits to assess and improve security measures, along with maintaining regular backups, ensures data recovery in the event of an attack.

Q: With the rise of AI and machine learning, what role do you see these technologies playing in transforming business operations in the next decade?

AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing organizational operations at unprecedented speed and scale. In the next decade, they will become integral to agencies. Automation will reach new heights, with AI-driven systems handling tasks like customer service, financial analysis, and supply chain management. Predictive analytics will help organizations anticipate market trends, customer preferences, and operational challenges. Operational efficiency will improve as AI and ML optimize processes, from inventory management to energy consumption. Innovation will accelerate, with AI and ML driving new products and services. Industries like healthcare, technology, and human capital will see transformative changes through AI-enabled solutions.

Q: What shifts in global IT infrastructure do you anticipate, and how will they affect the way businesses operate across borders?

Global IT infrastructure is set to undergo significant shifts, fundamentally altering the way organizations operate across borders. Cloud computing will continue to dominate, with hybrid and multi-cloud environments becoming the norm, enabling organizations to be more agile, scalable, and cost-efficient while ensuring data resilience and accessibility from anywhere in the world. 5G technology will revolutionize connectivity by offering ultra-fast, low-latency communication, enabling real-time data transfer, and enhancing remote work and global collaboration. Cybersecurity will become even more critical as businesses expand their digital footprints, with advanced security measures, including AI-driven threat detection and zero-trust architectures, becoming essential to protect data and maintain trust in a globally connected environment. These shifts will lead to more interconnected, efficient, and secure organizational operations, driving innovation and competitive advantage.

Q: In your view, what will be the key drivers of growth for the IT industry moving forward, and how can companies best position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities?

The IT industry is poised for significant growth driven by several key factors. Digital transformation remains a primary catalyst as organizations increasingly adopt digital solutions to enhance operations for efficient customer and constituent experiences. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing industries by enabling data-driven decision-making, automation, and personalized services. As mentioned, cloud computing continues to expand, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical as threats evolve, necessitating advanced security measures to protect data and maintain trust. To take advantage of these opportunities, organizations should invest in innovation, stay ahead of technological trends, and form strategic partnerships and collaborations to access new technologies and markets, driving growth in the evolving IT landscape.

Deborah Youmans, CIO of MITRE

Q: What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on IT trends by 2025 and beyond?

AI is already having a significant impact, and it will only grow in the near future. To truly leverage the value of AI, you must have effective governance in place to focus on data quality and management, policy development, guiding principles, and ethical oversight. While there has been significant AI adoption following the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, there are also concerns. Those developing AI enabled products will need to thoroughly test these systems to ensure they operate as intended—both safely and effectively—to address the trust gap if AI is going to reach its full potential impact.

Q: How do you foresee the evolution of cybersecurity challenges, and what strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks?

As technology evolves, cybersecurity will become more challenging. AI introduces new vulnerabilities to networks that traditional cybersecurity approaches can't always address. Adversaries will use AI and machine learning to create more realistic phishing and social engineering campaigns. The proliferation of AI models could make it easier to unintentionally share private data, leading to greater opportunities for data loss.

There are a variety of ways that defenders can better protect AI systems. We developed a free knowledge base of adversary behaviors called MITRE ATLAS that security professionals, developers, and operators use as they protect AI-enabled systems. We've also launched the AI Incident Sharing initiative with over 15 companies to improve collective awareness of AI threats and defense through rapid, protected information sharing about attacks or accidents that involved AI-enabled systems.

Advances in quantum computing could allow adversaries to break encryption algorithms that secure communications. Developing new encryption algorithms resistant to quantum attacks will be a key challenge for the future.

Q: With the rise of AI and machine learning, what role do you see these technologies playing in transforming business operations in the next decade?

AI technologies are already reshaping how we operate, deliver, and innovate. They’re significantly enhancing our ability to execute and deliver services with unprecedented speed. They’re enabling organizations to streamline their offerings, making them more efficient and user-friendly, leading to cost savings as well as improved customer satisfaction. By automating existing processes, they improve productivity and innovation without requiring substantial new investments. And by automating repetitive manual tasks, they increase efficiency and reduce the likelihood of errors, improving the quality of our services while freeing up valuable human resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.

AI is enabling all of this today. As the technologies mature in the years to come, we’ll see it have an even stronger impact on all the above areas – plus things we haven’t yet imagined.

Q: What shifts in global IT infrastructure do you anticipate, and how will they affect the way businesses operate across borders?

Organizations will likely invest more in infrastructure that can withstand cyberattacks and ensure continuous operations. This will be crucial for maintaining trust and reliability across international operations. We’ll also see continued efforts to create interoperable enterprise capabilities that enable organizations to more seamlessly integrate their operations across different regions, improving data sharing and decision-making in a global context.

Q: In your view, what will be the key drivers of growth for the IT industry moving forward, and how can companies best position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities?

We’ll see a continued push towards replacing legacy systems with modern, AI-enabled solutions that improve operational efficiency as well as decision making. However, it’s important to view these efforts beyond the technology investments to train large language models and other AI capabilities. We need to invest in people too, offering education and training geared to meet staff where they are, from novices to experts.