Infrastructure and Operations Hype Cycles include hardware, operating systems and key infrastructure technologies, as well as infrastructure management issues. This year’s set of Hype Cycles demonstrates once again how a growing focus on a key topic can give rise to a rapid expansion of technologies, standards and applications. The recent explosion of interest in security means that the Information Security Hype Cycle is now joined by drill-down Hype Cycles on data security, biometrics, identity access management, infrastructure protection and vulnerability management.

Hype Cycle for the Uses of Biometric Technologies Systems that identify people by their fingerprints, voices or other traits have many uses. They can, for example, restrict access to buildings, foil fraudsters and check that staff get to work on time. We assess the status and potential of eight applications. Hype Cycle for Data Security Data security is emerging as an area of interest as companies increase their focus on protecting sensitive data. However, this market is dominated by smaller, younger technology providers. Three of the 14 technologies that focus on protecting enterprise data are gaining market momentum. Hype Cycle for Human-Computer Interaction Human-computer-interaction technologies typically are slow to mature and gain widespread adoption. Deployment should focus on specific applications with quantifiable value, such as speech recognition in the call center. Hype Cycle for Identity and Access Management Technologies Other than biometrics, most identity and access management technologies are maturing. Investing in an overhyped technology too early can waste funds, while delaying too long could give competitors an edge. Vendor hype concerning IAM technologies needs deflating. Hype Cycle for Infrastructure Protection Most of the action in the infrastructure protection area has focused on integration of common security processing into more-powerful products. New threats continue to drive the need for innovative security algorithms. Hype Cycle for Information Security New security threats continue to arise almost daily. This Hype Cycle will help you decide how to invest your limited security funds. Hype Cycle for Linux This open-source operating system is making progress in many respects. But it's still two to five years short of the Plateau of Productivity when it comes to the key prize of becoming a vital aspect of data centers. Hype Cycle for PC Technologies The cost of succumbing to PC hype is constant churn in the installed base with higher system image and support costs. Although consumers often opt for the latest technology, businesses looking to maintain the homogeneity of their installed bases are more conservative in adopting new technology. Hype Cycle for Printing Markets and Management Document printing and copying are often mistakenly viewed as static or legacy work processes. However, new printing technologies and applications are providing ways for companies to improve customer communications, cut spending and streamline business processes. Hype Cycle for Semiconductors Customer relationship management technology will help sales organizations bolster productivity and impWe chart the progress of technologies such as transistors, logic devices, architectures and design techniques. Eventually, nanotechnologies based on semiconducting molecules and DNA structures may transform this industry. Hype Cycle for Server Technologies This Hype Cycle has revised and expanded categories for server virtualization, to reflect the growing range of technologies in this area. Server virtualization will be crucial to progress toward real-time infrastructure. Hype Cycle for Storage Software Technologies Storage management software keeps growing steadily, as companies look to ensure data availability while managing costs. Regulatory changes make building and managing tiered storage infrastructures a major initiative, especially in industries subject to many lawsuits, such as finance and healthcare. Hype Cycle for Vulnerability Managements This Hype Cycle shows the market adoption and maturity level of different vulnerability management technologies and services. For instance, security information and event management managed services are fairly new, while patch management has reached the Plateau of Productivity. Hype Cycle for IT Operations Management New technologies and processes create challenges for IT operations organizations as they seek to provide stability and agility for IT services used by businesses. Organizations should build excellence in IT operations by understanding the hype associated with the processes. Hype Cycle for Open-Source Software In the past year, open-source software has increasingly penetrated into mainstream IT organizations. Infrastructure and networking segments lead the way; however, significant movement has occurred in many other markets as well.

Frequently-asked questions and the history of Gartner Hype Cycles Learn More What are Hype Cycles? Watch Gartner Analyst Bill Rosser Explain. Low Bandwidth Video High Bandwidth Video You need Macromedia Flash Player 6™ to view interactive Hype Cycles Download Flash 6 plug-in Also, you'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader® to view the PDF versions. Download Acrobat Reader