2024 Tech Year in Review: Innovations, Challenges and Lessons Learned

As we wrap up 2024, the tech industry has once again demonstrated its dynamic and ever-evolving nature. From advancements in cybersecurity to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, this year has been a journey of growth, challenges, and transformative lessons.

1. Cybersecurity Dominates Headlines

Cybersecurity was a major focus for 2024. Cyber threats have become more sophisticated and damaging this year, with several high-profile incidents:

• AI-powered phishing scams:

  Cybercriminals have weaponised AI to create convincing phishing campaigns. By mimicking CEO voices and email styles, they have successfully tricked companies into authorising large payments.
  A UK engineering firm fell victim to a deepfake scam when an employee was tricked into transferring £20 million to criminals during an AI-generated video call.
  

• NHS supplier ransomware attack:

  In June 2024, an NHS stakeholder was hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted more than 3,000 NHS appointments in London.
  The Russian cybercriminal group Qilin stole nearly 400GB of patient data, including names, NHS numbers and blood test details.

This year has shown that no organisation is immune to cyber attacks. Regular training, proactive monitoring and layered security systems remain essential to stay ahead of evolving threats. 

Find out how to enhance your human firewall and stay secure with our latest guide.

2. Evolution of Artificial Intelligence

AI transforms cybersecurity and business innovation In 2024, generative AI has moved from experimentation to real-world impact, optimising operations, reducing costs and driving growth.

72% of organisations adopted AI tools this year, particularly in customer service, supply chain management and predictive analytics, leading to measurable improvements in efficiency and revenue.

At the forefront of cybersecurity, AI-powered threat detection systems became a game changer.
These tools significantly reduced cyber threat response times by identifying anomalies and potential breaches in minutes rather than hours, enabling organisations to respond more quickly and effectively to emerging risks.

AI has proven to be a powerful tool for enhancing business productivity, automating repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows and enabling teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. From AI-powered chatbots that improve customer service to tools that optimise supply chains and data analytics, businesses are unlocking new efficiencies and saving valuable time.

Meanwhile, advances in quantum-resistant encryption have begun to lay the groundwork for protecting data from future threats posed by quantum computing. While still in its early stages, industries such as finance and government are leading trials to ensure their systems remain resilient in the years to come.

The adoption of AI-driven solutions has also improved the cyber resilience of organisations, countering increasingly sophisticated attacks such as AI-enhanced phishing scams and ransomware. These developments underscore how critical innovative cybersecurity measures have become in today's digital-first landscape.

Lessons learned:

Organisations that strategically utilise AI capabilities, while balancing innovation with strong governance and risk mitigation, are positioning themselves to outpace the competition, and stay safe in a rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

3. AI-powered productivity with Microsoft Copilot

This year, Microsoft's Copilot tools have been an outstanding example of how AI can improve productivity and efficiency across the enterprise. From automating tasks to improving collaboration, Microsoft's Copilot suite - including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Windows Copilot and Copilot Pro - has enabled businesses to do more with less effort. In particular, Microsoft 365 Copilot integrates seamlessly with Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, using your organisation's data to provide personalised, contextual assistance.

One of the standout developments this year was the release of Copilot version 2, which introduced significant performance improvements, new integrations and enhanced capabilities across the Microsoft ecosystem. Organisations can now benefit from speed improvements, the latest version 4 language model and tools such as Python integration for Excel. These advancements have further established Copilot as a must-have tool for driving productivity and efficiency in modern organisations. If the AI features still seem unclear, watch the Microsoft 365 Copilot webinar to learn more.

To help organisations get started, special offer on Copilot licences are available only until the end of December 2024: orders of 10 or more licences come with a 15% discount and include a 2.5 hour Microsoft Copilot training session to ensure teams unlock the full potential of this powerful AI solution.

4. CrowdStrike Outage: Lessons for Businesses

On 19 July 2024, a coding error in CrowdStrike's Falcon sensor update caused widespread disruption, crashing an estimated 8.5 million Windows devices. Airports, supermarkets, media and financial services were severely affected, highlighting the critical role of cybersecurity tools in modern business operations. The problem was related to a coding error within the update that caused devices running the Falcon sensor to crash with the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). While CrowdStrike issued a fix within hours, recovery efforts varied, highlighting the need for robust contingency plans, tested disaster recovery strategies and strong IT support readiness. If you're reassessing your organisation's IT resilience, our team can help ensure your operations are protected from similar disruptions.

6. Remote Working Security Challenges

The hybrid and remote working models continue to be the standard for many organisations, but it brings unique challenges to securing remote devices and networks. According to a recent government study, 50% of businesses overall have identified data breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. This includes small (58%), medium (70%) and large businesses (74%). The most common type of breach and attack by far is phishing.

gov.uk, 2024

What worked?

Managed Service Providers helped organisations secure their endpoints while enabling effective collaboration. Tools such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium, combined with advanced security measures, provided a balance of flexibility and protection.

7. The Rise of Sustainability in Technology

In 2024, more organisations prioritised green technology and sustainable IT practices.

• Cloud providers and tech manufacturers focused on reducing their carbon footprint
• IT teams embraced energy-efficient solutions and sustainable tech procurement

How We Can Help Your Business?

At Grant McGregor, we understand the importance of staying ahead in a fast-changing digital world. Our Enhanced Security Service (ESS), as a part of our people-centric approach, is designed to help businesses tackle modern cyber threats effectively.

With ESS, your organisation can benefit from:

• KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Equip your team with the knowledge to recognise and respond to phishing, ransomware, and other cyber threats.

• 24/7 Threat Monitoring and Response: Stay protected with Managed Detect and Respond (MDR) to neutralise threats before they escalate.

• Password and Vulnerability Management: Strengthen your defences by safeguarding critical access points and identifying potential weaknesses.

Microsoft Copilot Special Offer

If you're ready to enhance your productivity with AI-powered tools, we're here to help! We're offering exclusive 15% off Microsoft Copilot licences for orders of 10 or more only until the end of 2024. This also includes a dedicated 2.5 hour Microsoft Copilot training session to ensure your team make most of Copilot powerful features.

What next?

Call us: 0808 164 4142 

Message us: https://www.grantmcgregor.co.uk/contact-us