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You’ve almost certainly heard of Zscaler. It literally put Zero Trust first, as that’s what the Z in its name stands for, with its Zero Trust Exchange platform promising industry-leading protection against cyberattacks and data loss. So we can’t imagine a much more important job than that of Marc Lueck: CISO in Residence at Zscaler.
In this interview we focus on the future of IT, and should be no surprise that Zero Trust pops up more than once or twice in Marc’s responses. The good news is that Marc promises that, together with AI, Zero Trust will make IT teams’ lives easier. “Where it might currently take a team of 20 to 30 experts to design, configure and manage a network,” he said, “in the future, this process will become as straightforward as setting up generic hardware, turning it on and letting the system self-configure.”
If you’re thinking “but it’s my job to do that” then Marc also has news. “The biggest challenge will be staying relevant in a world where traditional IT roles are diminishing,” he told us.
“As automation and AI reduce the need for certain specialized skills, IT professionals must adapt by reskilling or transitioning into areas that leverage these technologies… Those who can adapt will thrive, while those who hold on to outdated models may struggle to find their place.”
Without wishing to steal Marc’s thunder, right at the end we asked who inspired him the most when it comes to the future of IT. His answer: Steve Jobs. “His approach to making technology accessible and user-centric is something I deeply admire and aim to channel in the work we’re doing.”
I believe the next major shift in IT will centre around simplicity. Historically, IT has been complex, requiring specialised skills for deployment and maintenance. While this complexity isn’t going away in the backend, the way users interact with IT will become significantly simpler.
Take, for example, deploying a network for a large organization like a 10,000-person enterprise. Where it might currently take a team of 20 to 30 experts to design, configure and manage a network, in the future, this process will become as straightforward as setting up generic hardware, turning it on and letting the system self-configure. This shift is driven by technologies like AI and Zero Trust architectures, which simplify decision-making and reduce the need for manual intervention.
Some might argue these technological advancements are causing skill regression. However, from a business perspective, reducing complexity is essential. IT is too expensive and time-intensive as it stands. So, I see IT evolving toward being more automated, efficient and user-friendly without losing its backend sophistication.
The Zero Trust approach is one of the most significant emerging technologies and it’s already reshaping the infrastructure of organizations today. It fundamentally changes how organizations think about security, reducing reliance on traditional network models and empowering more centralized, efficient controls.
As for other technologies, blockchain initially seemed different but has since faded into the background as a foundational tool. It’s a fabric useful for validation and verification but no longer the headline act.
AI, however, is transformative. While the hype around AI is at its peak, the true impact is just beginning. We’re at the base of the impact curve and this decade will define how AI reshapes industries. AI will embed itself into everything, making processes simpler and reducing complexity in ways we are only beginning to imagine.
Edge computing ties closely to Zero Trust, it is essentially about decentralising processing while maintaining security. IoT, on the other hand, represents the epitome of automation. Combined with AI, IoT will enable systems that are not only automated but also intelligent. IoT devices self-configure and interact seamlessly, guided by AI that understands their roles and optimises their performance. This convergence of AI and IoT will redefine IT infrastructures, making them less complex and more autonomous.
AI and big data don’t inherently solve cybersecurity challenges, they introduce new ones. Security professionals must now manage risks associated with AI-driven systems, including data governance and ethical use. Organisations need to regain control over their data, categorising and governing it meticulously to ensure it’s used responsibly.
Europe’s AI Act is a promising step, requiring AI systems to demonstrate ethical compliance. However, ethical considerations must extend globally. AI technologies are developed and used across borders, and we need mechanisms to ensure ethical practices are enforceable worldwide. There’s also a darker side to AI in warfare and automated decision-making, which could lead to ethical dilemmas that we’re only beginning to grapple with. It’s critical to address these challenges now to prevent misuse in the future.
The biggest challenge will be staying relevant in a world where traditional IT roles are diminishing. As automation and AI reduce the need for certain specialized skills, IT professionals must adapt by reskilling or transitioning into areas that leverage these technologies. The next decade will demand agility both in adopting new skill sets and in embracing the evolving nature of IT roles. Those who can adapt will thrive, while those who hold on to outdated models may struggle to find their place.
One project that stands out is Zscaler’s SIM technology. It’s incredibly simple yet transformative. The concept is to provide an eSIM that, when inserted into a device, immediately enables bidirectional, Zero Trust-based internet and remote access. So there is no complex setup, just seamless secure connectivity.
What excites me about this is its potential to address so many areas: IoT, AI-driven systems, remote work and Zero Trust architecture. Think of all the devices that need secure connectivity. This technology simplifies everything by embedding security and connectivity directly into the device.
It’s a small step for the user, but it has the potential to significantly shift how we approach IT.
If I had to name one person, it’s Steve Jobs. He changed how technology was created, designed, marketed and experienced. He prioritized how technology made people feel, he broke down complexity into something that felt simpler and seamless.
That mindset inspires me, especially as we think about where IT is heading. We are at a point now where AI and automation are enabling us to simplify even further. Projects like Zscaler’s SIM technology take that ethos to the next level: eliminating complexity and focusing on the outcome safe, seamless and intuitive connectivity.
Jobs’ approach to making technology accessible and user-centric is something I deeply admire and aim to channel in the work we’re doing.
