03 July 2024
Ben Schein, senior vice president of product, Domo
Understanding the profound impact of the ever-expanding internet population and the evolving ways in which people engage with the digital world is pivotal. According to Domo’s latest Data Never Sleeps (DNS) report, which offers a big-picture glimpse into the immense volume of data generated on the internet every minute, as of November 2023, 5.2 billion people around the globe are on the internet - around 64% of the entire world population.
Notably, the frequency of internet usage is on the rise, with 6.3 million Google searches occurring every minute. This is a 215% increase on searches compared to a decade ago when Domo first launched its annual Data Never Sleeps report. This surge in internet activity is mirrored in the data landscape, with predicted global data creation reaching 120 zettabytes in 2023 and predicted to grow to 181 zettabytes by 2025.
However, beyond sending emails, browsing recipes, and shopping online, the influence of data extends far beyond consumer dynamics and the evolving use of internet and user behaviour is particularly relevant to enterprise networks.
In this transformative era, data has transcended its role in shaping individual routines to become the driving force behind the operations of businesses and industries. This evolution is particularly evident in the realm of enterprise networks and networking technologies. The significance of data is not confined to individual preferences but extends to the fabric of how organisations operate, innovate, and leverage connectivity, marking a pivotal change in the broader spectrum of internet utilisation.
AI, cybersecurity and enterprise networks
Unsurprisingly, as internet use has increased, so has the volume of crime. Attacks by cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated and complex. Showing this, since the inaugural Domo Data Never Sleeps research was conducted in 2013, 2 million emails were sent every minute; this figure climbed to a staggering 241 million in 2023. Intertwined with this, is also the fact that there were 30 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks launched by cybercriminals each minute in 2023.
The landscape of cyber attacks is vast and costly - with UK cybercrime costing the economy an estimated £27 billion per year. The importance of heightened awareness and implementing robust protective measures to prevent potential cyberattacks and breaches on businesses and individuals has never been more vital.
An additional dynamic at play that is important to understanding the broader cyber landscape is the rapid rise in the prominence and adoption of AI - marked by its use among ordinary people. Showing this, Domo’s data reveals that ChatGPT users sent 6,944 prompts per minute in 2023. Meaning that a staggering 416,640 prompts were sent every hour and over 9.9 million every day.
In this dynamic landscape, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI offers transformative benefits and productivity gains for enterprise networks. It empowers organisations to proactively address network issues, enhance reliability, and optimise performance. AI-driven user behaviour analytics ensure a secure and efficient user experience, identifying potential issues and security threats. Network automation streamlines routine tasks, allowing IT teams to focus on strategic aspects of network management. Similarly, self-healing networks, powered by AI, automatically identify and rectify issues, minimising downtime and optimising performance - a game-changer for operational efficiency.
However, the same AI capabilities that benefit enterprise networks can be harnessed for cybercrime. AI becomes a potent tool for malicious actors, enabling stealthy navigation through networks, automating, and scaling attacks, and adapting to counteract security measures. The key lies in navigating this technological paradox — leveraging AI for innovation while fortifying defences against potential misuse.
Beyond prioritising advanced digital security measures, predicting the precise evolution of internet use over the next year will also be key, as companies begin to anticipate technological and societal shifts. As organisations collect increasing amounts of data, ensuring its security becomes paramount. AI plays a crucial role in providing secure solutions by automating processes like records management and ensuring compliance with industry protocols. For customers, AI aids in fraud detection by analysing records and transactions, learning normal behaviours, and identifying outliers.
In the realm of security and compliance, AI holds immense potential. It can detect intrusion and malware, respond to data breaches, predict user behaviour, and prevent phishing. While AI promises increased security and compliance, ethical considerations are paramount. The evolving field of AI ethics raises concerns about its potential misuse for security breaches and exposure of private information.
AI’s future evolution in the cybersecurity domain is promising. As cyber-attacks and data breaches pose significant risks, AI will continue to automate processes, enhance fraud detection, and fortify security measures. Industries heavily reliant on personal data, such as healthcare and finance, are expected to experience a surge in AI adoption, further amplifying compliance and security measures across sectors.
