The appetite for cloud based technologies is not abating any time soon. Compounded by the pandemic and its stay at home protocols and the new remote-hybrid model that is pushing forward digital transformation. There are many cloud-centric features that have been showcasing their merits but what is the focus on the future of cloud?
Here are some trends worth mentioning.
1. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
According to a McKinsey 2021 report nearly two-thirds of companies plan to invest in AI through to 2023. Operational efficiency and innovation have been a welcome benefit. Since very few businesses have the resources to build a dedicated AI environment there is a reliance on external cloud data centers. Also as gathering data and training algorithms require copious computing power and storage space that is cheaper to rent. AI and ML will increase automation in cloud computing, create personalized cloud experiences and enhance data security and privacy amongst others.
2. Low-code and no-code
Tools that allow applications to be created without the need for writing code, are enticing and growing in popularity. Low and no code allows companies to build any digital product, websites and applications including AI applications. The appropriate tools such as Mendix, Appian or Figma are housed on the cloud and allow users to carry out tasks that would normally require coding experience. The number of vendors tapping into this market is growing fast and will soon offer other benefits aside from designing websites, such as automation.
3. Security concerns to address
With cloud use growing as it is, security concerns need renewed focus especially as breaches become the norm. While cloud migration presents great opportunities, being exposed to attack coupled with the changes in data regulations, is a real concern for businesses. Spending on building resilience to cyber attacks is needed while simultaneously tightening the purse strings. This emphasizes the need for cost-efficient ways of maintaining cyber security via innovative threat predictive technologies or AI. Large scale cloud adoption is often impeded by data security due to misconfigurations or insecure cloud infrastructure. Data loss is another concern and can occur due to human error or software corruption for example. Encryption, access control and activity monitoring on the cloud can mitigate any such risks of cloud based activity.
4. Cloud to the edge
Edge computing describes a framework where the data is stored and processed as close to the original device as possible. In traditional cloud computing frameworks data travels from the device to the data center and back, the duration of which causes latency. Shortening this ‘distance’ provides rapid data processing with very little latency enabling the use of edge devices/smart devices to work effortlessly. According to Gartner, “organizations that isolate and segment their networks through an edge architecture will experience 25% fewer successful cyberattacks.” Yet another great reason why adoption of edge computing has been increasing. According to the IDC Spending guide 2021, it estimated that edge computing spend will reach $274 billion by 2025, up from $176 billion in 2022.
5. Hybrid cloud and multi cloud
The hybrid cloud model integrates public cloud services with a private cloud dedicated to a single company. Perfect for those who collect sensitive data or operate in highly regulated industries. Those that do use them see improved scalability and control, increased agility, reduced costs, and better support for remote workers. The multi cloud model uses multiple clouds that belong to the same system and are generally adopted by larger organizations. This approach prevents them from becoming locked in with one vendor which can be problematic if they change services or applications for example. Also when the process is automated workload coordination and hybrid workflows become more effective.