Digital topics 2016 - Security first

Big Data and the Internet of Things follow in the top group. This is the result of the annual trend survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom. According to the survey, the topic of IT security is at the top of the list, as it was two years ago, with 59 percent of the mentions.

The perennial favorite, cloud computing, follows closely behind with 58 percent. This means that Industry 4.0 has gained one place compared to the previous year and is among the three most important topics for the first time:

The digitalization of production processes under the buzzword Industry 4.0 is mentioned by 54 percent of the companies surveyed. The analysis of large volumes of data (big data) was mentioned by 51 percent.

The "Internet of Things" follows in fifth place. 47 percent of IT managers consider the Internet of Things to be an important digital topic.

"Everything that can be networked will be networked - from cars to toothbrushes. This is made possible by powerful microchips, lightweight sensors and mobile data networks.

said Bitkom Chief Executive Bernhard Rohleder.

"The Internet of Things opens up countless potential applications in a wide variety of fields."

Market researchers estimate that more than six billion objects worldwide will be connected to the Internet this year.

The increasing importance of networking is also reflected in the other digital topics of the year. At 27 percent, the smart home moved up from eleventh to seventh place this year.

"The home networking beat is on the rise".

Rohleder said.

In addition to new market players, more and more manufacturers of classic home technology are offering products that are connected via the Internet and can be controlled via a smartphone app, for example.

The topic of e-health, which never made it into the top 10 in previous years and is now in ninth place (previous year: 14th place), is also gaining new momentum. 21 percent of the companies surveyed named e-health as an important topic.

"The rapid proliferation of fitness trackers and health apps shows the potential of digital technologies in prevention and medical care"

Rohleder said.

At the same time, the passing of the E-Health Act last year laid an important foundation for the digitization of the healthcare system.