How technology modernisation is driving business resilience
As the technology and business landscapes grow increasingly complex, so too does business resilience. In an era of unprecedented challenges spanning global IT outages, cyber-attacks and natural disasters, it's essential for organisations to quickly recover and remain operational. Strengthening business continuity plans and investing in resilience strategies are vital for securing long-term success.
In our digital era, technology modernisation has emerged as the top goal for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) this year. At the same time, more than half (57%) of CIOs intend to invest in modernising legacy infrastructure to support business resilience. This is according to the July 2024 Cloud and Infrastructure Edge Survey from ADAPT.
The rise of cloud computing has revolutionised how organisations approach IT infrastructure. As CIOs look to simplify technology and boost resilience, hybrid infrastructure offers a scalable solution, combining the reliability of on-premises systems with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of cloud resources. According to IDC, 90% of enterprises are set to adopt multi or hybrid-cloud by the end of this year.
Here are four considerations for technology and infrastructure leaders who are looking to a hybrid cloud approach to streamline technology and simultaneously bolster business resilience:
1. Invest strategically
The focus on technology modernisation reflects a need for organisations to revisit their foundational operations and strive for operational excellence. However, legacy technology and manual processes present major barriers for technology leaders, particularly Chief Information and Security Officers. Similarly, Chief Financial Officers struggle with gaining clear visibility into sunk costs from cloud investments.
So, how can organisations determine where workloads deliver the most value? By modernising legacy infrastructure and focusing on where workloads can add the most business value.
Hybrid cloud has become a key strategy for balancing cost efficiency with business innovation. It enables organisations to mitigate the risk of overspending on public cloud while still fostering innovation. By integrating disparate IT environments into a unified framework and allowing seamless workload migration, hybrid cloud helps companies deploy resources quickly and adapt to new opportunities.
In addition, technology simplification via hybrid cloud allows organisations to maintain resilience, adapt to changing demands and protect against emerging threats. For example, modernised organisations are more effective at integrating security from the outset of projects, ensuring long-term sustainability.
2. Enhance security
In a hybrid world, where data flows across on-premises and cloud environments, prioritising cyber security is essential to safeguarding operations, protecting sensitive information and ensuring continuity in the face of evolving threats.
As a result, business resilience is inextricably linked to robust cyber security practices. This is especially true as organisations transition to hybrid infrastructures, when they might face uncertainties such as the location of some of their servers or the activities of third parties within their ecosystems.
In hybrid infrastructures, where data and applications are spread across multiple locations and vendors, the ability to proactively address vulnerabilities is often the difference between business continuity and costly disruptions. This is why a unified, simplified approach that integrates security measures into every aspect of the infrastructure is essential.
3. Simplify management
Simplified management is an emerging trend in enhancing business resilience. The complexity of managing diverse environments could hinder an organisation's ability to respond swiftly to disruptions. For example, organisations often have a primary platform and a secondary platform. Typically, the focus is on the primary platform, while the secondary ones might not be as secured or optimised.
Simplified management streamlines the oversight and control of diverse environments, reducing the operational burden on IT teams. With the right solutions, organisations maintain consistency in security, governance and compliance across their entire IT landscape. This not only simplifies management of hybrid infrastructure but ensures critical systems and data remain protected and available in the face of unforeseen challenges.
4. Integrate effectively
Successful hybrid infrastructure deployment requires seamless integration across different environments. While it's important to simplify operations, over-abstraction can negate the benefits of using different platforms. If the goal is to leverage specific features of both public and private cloud, too much abstraction can result in having a private cloud within a public cloud, missing out on the distinct benefits each platform offers. This is why it's crucial to choose the right third-party tools to support your hybrid cloud strategy.
Furthermore, managed service providers (MSPs) are pivotal in deploying and managing hybrid infrastructure. They oversee complex environments, ensure smooth integration and deliver continuous support. In fact, organisations partnering with an MSP experience up to a 40% reduction in downtime and 30% improvement in operational efficiency.
Looking ahead
It's important for technology leaders to assess their organisations' specific needs and risk tolerance before modernising technology via hybrid cloud to ultimately improve resilience. Remember, prioritising flexibility, security, and efficient management is crucial for building a robust foundation for long-term success. By embracing the correct tools and guidance, technology leaders will be well positioned to guide their teams on the journey to hybrid cloud.
