Executive summary
Emerging technologies are reshaping how enterprises operate, creating new opportunities and exposing new challenges. Wearables, spatial computing, Internet of Things (IoT) and AI promise productivity gains but also expand risk, fragment visibility and strain outdated management workflows. Jamf’s Emerging Technology Playbook highlights why IT leaders need a unified approach – aligned with zero trust – to efficiently and effectively manage, secure and scale the next generation of endpoints alongside existing tech tools.
Key takeaways
- Expected wearable shipments in 2025: 590.7 million units
- Spatial computing projected CAGR by 2030: 33.16 percent
- Enterprise adoption of hybrid computing by 2028: 40 percent
New tools ≠ old management workflows
Technology’s pace is accelerating.
It ushers the next generation of endpoints that challenge long‑standing IT assumptions about not only how work is performed, but also how to maintain compliance across the enterprise.
Emerging technologies such as wearables, spatial computing devices, IoT sensors and AI‑powered tools are now central to business workflows. They increase efficiency and unlock innovation across industries, but they also introduce complexity and risk that traditional approaches to device management simply cannot keep up with. To ensure compliance, these shifts require IT leaders to adopt modern strategies rooted in automation, visibility and continuous validation.
Enterprises already feel the pressure
As highlighted in the eBook, wearables alone are expected to reach 590.7 million global shipments in 2025, with use cases ranging from health monitoring to hands‑free productivity. Spatial computing is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 33% by 2030, driven by adoption in education, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. These new devices are powerful tools for employees, but their rapid proliferation strains existing management models.
The challenge for IT is that these technologies do not fit cleanly into legacy workflows.
Many emerging endpoints:
- Operate independently of traditional operating systems
- Rely on mixed ownership models
- And/or require unique cloud‑based orchestration tooling
Without strong management guardrails, organizations face visibility gaps that make it harder to detect unmanaged endpoints, device misconfigurations, policy drift or anomalous behavior. When devices fall outside formal enrollment and provisioning processes, risks emerge in areas like identity integrity, data confidentiality and endpoint availability.
Comprehensive and holistic strategies are the answer
For decision‑makers, the most critical step is modernizing enrollment, onboarding and policy enforcement across all device categories. Our eBook emphasizes that a unified approach must begin with inventory. IT teams need a complete, accurate picture of every device, workload and integration point before they can manage risk or prepare for scale. Inventory leads naturally to structured risk assessment, using both qualitative and quantitative methods to determine exposure, impact and remediation priorities.
From there, threat modeling is introduced as a proactive measure to anticipate attack paths and address vulnerabilities before they escalate. Frameworks such as STRIDE and DREAD help IT and security teams align device‑level risks with organizational priorities. When combined with penetration testing, they provide a clear picture of the enterprise’s security posture while acting as a blueprint identifying security gaps between emerging technologies that operate across cloud, on‑premises and edge environments.
Beyond visibility and risk analysis, the future of endpoint security centers on identity‑first access and continuous device posture validation. Emerging technologies require real‑time verification that a device is compliant before it can access sensitive resources. Modern Mobile Device Management (MDM) closes gaps with AI-powered endpoint platforms to offer the automation and cross‑platform support necessary to enforce zero trust at scale – including everything from secure configurations to patch automation and access controls that adapt dynamically to changing conditions.
Enterprises will also need stronger approaches to network segmentation and data protections. The guidance outlines tools including virtual local area networks, demilitarized zones, security orchestration automation and response (SOAR) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions, to limit lateral movement and enforce granular access policies. These controls ensure that high‑risk technologies such as IoT and wearables operate safely within broader enterprise ecosystems.
Finally, the playbook stresses the importance of baselines, benchmarks and frameworks as proactive and reactive guardrails. Emerging technologies evolve quickly, so IT leaders must view security and management as iterative. Regular testing, audits and configuration reviews keep organizations aligned with industry standards and ensure that device posture remains resilient as threats evolve and grow in sophistication.
Conclusion
For C-suite executives, IT managers and security administrators, the message is clear: emerging technologies require future‑ready strategies. By investing in visibility, automation, identity‑first access and continuous enforcement today, enterprises position themselves to embrace innovation without compromising security or compliance.
