Security Technologies, Artificial intelligence (AI), third-generation (3G) networking products and services, voice over Internet protocol and all things wireless are the hot technology areas and trends that IT executives who spoke over the weekend at the annual Harvard Business School Cyberposium have on their radar screens.
The Cyberposium is organized and run by Harvard Business School students. It attracts hundreds of students from campuses worldwide who are working on their master"s in business administration (MBA) degrees, offering them a chance to hear speeches and panel discussions featuring academics, IT executives and leaders of companies that rely heavily on IT. Based on various conference sessions and speeches, these areas are drawing keen interest:
-- Security technologies, including biometrics like iris and fingerprint scanning, but also more intrusive and, therefore troubling, identity methods such as body scanning. Over and over again, executives noted that this area is going to be a big one in coming years, spurred by concerns after the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S.
The tricky terrain of maintaining freedoms, including the right to privacy, will continue to be at the fore as security technologies are developed and deployed. Over time, a calmer attitude will prevail and tighter security will be in place where it needs to be, such as at large sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics, and in airports, train stations and subway systems rather than across a broad spectrum of public places, speakers suggested.