One particularly visible example is the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. As more businesses find ways to take advantage of AI in their processes, they simultaneously seek out hyper-scalable cloud services that can serve as a foundation for their AI tools. In addition, the unique data storage and regulatory compliance needs of healthcare, finance, and similar industries are driving the development of “industry cloud” solutions tailored for those specific environments. As business needs and cloud technologies grow increasingly targeted, Gartner predicts 70% adoption of cloud solutions by 2027—a nearly five-fold increase from 15% in 2023.
But the cybersecurity landscape continues to shift as well, and cloud transformation reveals new attack surfaces for companies seeking to modernize. This post will cover the emerging security technologies designed to support the increasing enterprise-level transition toward cloud solutions.
2024 trends in IT modernization
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
With cloud solutions maturing in recent years and businesses simultaneously streamlining IT spending, the flow of money toward cloud technology has slowed. But AI and machine learning (ML) have fundamentally changed the landscape. Large cloud-based service providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are ramping up investment in their cloud products to support a wide range of AI tools for customer service, data analytics, smart networking, IoT, security, and more.
Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud deployments
As data security compliance regulations grow stricter, companies are increasingly turning to multi-cloud and hybrid cloud deployments to meet them—particularly companies in tightly regulated industries such as healthcare. Multi-cloud deployments have the added benefits of more efficient processes and a secure framework for business continuity and disaster recovery.
Sustainability and eco-conscious computing
Environmental concerns continue to gain significance as an explicit priority for consumers. In response, major cloud providers have developed plans to reach carbon-neutral or carbon-negative operations within the coming decade.
Energy efficiency at enterprise scales will be necessary to support these companies’ growing cloud data centers, as will robust renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. A cloud transformation can even optimize its own operations by using AI to analyze energy consumption.
Edge computing, networked devices, and IoT
With the advent of 5G and other low-latency networks, edge computing solutions are positioned to take full advantage of cloud transformation. Connected IoT devices like cameras and machine-monitoring sensors can access real-time data analysis to provide smart feedback or alerts in retail, on Industry 4.0 shop floors, or even to support customer service in entertainment spaces.
Learn more: Revolutionize your retail operations with cloud technology
Industry-specific cloud platforms
Vertical or industry-specific cloud platforms, also called “industry clouds,” are an innovative development on existing cloud solutions. Industry clouds have a great deal to offer businesses in strictly regulated industries, and as regulations grow tighter across technology spaces, more companies can benefit from industry cloud tools. Because industry clouds are still a specialized area, OnX recommends working with an expert cloud implementation partner to realize the full benefits of an industry cloud.
Low-code and no-code development tools
Skilled programmers are in high demand in today’s marketplace, and businesses without the technical resources for in-house development still have unique application and workflow needs. In response, low-code and no-code development platforms are growing, offering these companies an avenue toward customization and opening more doors for industry automation in the future.
Cloud transformation is changing the threat landscape
The latest threat research indicates that 80% of security exposures are found within companies’ cloud environments. As cloud transformations spread and grow across industries, securing cloud environments will become increasingly crucial. A series of high-profile breaches demonstrate the extent of the risk.
In 2023, a cloud misconfiguration resulted in more than a terabyte of exposed data for the U.S. Department of Defense. In another case, international casino operators MGM Resorts experienced a breach when a hacker impersonated a member of their security team, claiming to need a password reset. AI enables these cyberattacks as well, allowing the creation of digital “deep fake” audio and video to lend credibility.
Learn more: Cybersecurity in 2023
Cybersecurity for cloud transformations
As security threats to cloud platforms become a greater concern, technology teams are implementing the newest cybersecurity strategies to protect them:
- Cloud security posture management (CPSM): These suites of monitoring and protection tools will become increasingly fundamental to a company’s security strategy.
- Cloud-native security: Weaving security measures into cloud-based assets is a critical strategy for protecting them. As companies rely more on cloud solutions, OnX anticipates that focus on cloud-native security will only grow.
- Cloud access security broker (CASB): Cloud transformation enables more flexible environments. CASB unifies multiple cloud security strategies to increase coverage across a variety of data sources.
- Cloud security automation: Machine learning and AI can help companies catch security incidents early, and even begin remediation as soon as possible.
- Zero trust security: A guiding principle more than a specific technology, zero trust is the foundation of both government and security industry standards. OnX expects to see more companies turn toward zero trust philosophies as cybersecurity threats grow in 2024.
Learn more: Six principles for securing the Cloud
Taking the next steps in modernizing IT
The coming year will see an increase in spending on cloud innovation and cloud transformations. As opportunities for AI and machine learning spread, robust cloud infrastructure will grow and specialize into industry cloud and hybrid or multi-cloud environments. The tools and techniques associated with cloud transformation will continue to develop as well, such as energy optimization and sustainability, low-code and no-code platforms, and IoT device management.
But as the cloud grows and spreads, it will also become a riper target for bad actors. Enterprises will need to secure their cloud innovations as quickly as they develop. OnX partners with industry-leading cloud providers to stay abreast of the evolving cybersecurity landscape and can help your organization to modernize your technology operations and protect your most important assets.
Contact an OnX expert today to see how.