As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the shift from private cloud or on-premises to hybrid cloud environments has emerged as a defining trend in enterprise IT. Hybrid cloud, which combines public cloud, private cloud and on-premises infrastructure, offers greater scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Critically, at a time of growing geopolitical tension and escalating cybercrime, it also offers organisations a means of keeping their most confidential data on-premises while maximising the advantages of public cloud for other usages. While the evolution to hybrid brings some challenges for IT teams tasked with managing and securing these new environments, the move to hybrid brings much more advantages than drawbacks.
What have tech teams lost in moving from private to hybrid cloud?
Arguably tech teams have not “lost” anything in the transition to hybrid cloud – at least not in terms of capability. Hybrid cloud, by definition, integrates the benefits of private cloud infrastructure with the flexibility of public cloud services. Nonetheless, the shift has indeed presented new challenges, especially around security, connectivity, and control.
The introduction of public cloud elements has led to more disruption from an IT operations view. Managing a hybrid cloud environment involves navigating different tools and interfaces for public and private clouds, which can be a daunting task for IT teams used to the simplicity of a single infrastructure. This requires deeper technical expertise to ensure smooth integration between different cloud environments.
A recent Vanguard report revealed that the main drivers behind hybrid cloud implementation are improving operation scalability (50%), business innovation (46%), and migrating data across IT workloads (42%). While these objectives illustrate the strong business case for hybrid cloud adoption, it also introduces added layers in managing multiple environments.
One of the hybrid model’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. Employees can now access company systems from virtually anywhere, a significant advantage in today’s increasingly remote work settings. However, this increased flexibility blurs the traditional boundaries between internal and external access, introducing new concerns around security, data privacy, and the management of external interactions. As sensitive data moves between public and private clouds, the attack surface expands, making the infrastructure more vulnerable to breaches. In a recent report by the publication Cybersecurity Insiders, insights gathered from over 900 cloud and cybersecurity professionals revealed that securing multi-cloud environments is seen as a primary challenge by 55% of respondents. To mitigate these risks, tech teams must implement robust security measures and continuously monitor data flows, ensuring both environments remain secure. Various solutions have emerged to combat these challenges.
Connectivity also presents an obstacle in hybrid cloud ecosystems. Smooth integration of on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services is essential for uninterrupted operations and the smooth running of business processes.
But despite these challenges, hybrid cloud environments are primed to significantly ease the load on IT teams compared to on-premises deployments that often require substantial hardware resources and staff. In contrast, hybrid cloud allows organisations to offload certain workloads to the public cloud, freeing internal resources for more critical tasks.
The growing appeal of hybrid cloud
The adoption of hybrid cloud has been widespread, with computer software company Flexara reporting that 71% of companies opt for a hybrid cloud strategy – a trend expected to increase as companies continue their digital transformation strategies. This growing popularity partly stems from the fact that hybrid cloud provides a more balanced approach, enabling organisations to leverage existing infrastructure while benefiting from the scalability and cost-efficiency of public cloud services. For businesses with significant investments in private cloud infrastructure, transitioning to a public-cloud-only solution may seem wasteful, making hybrid models an ideal compromise.
According to Flexera, only 4% of companies use private cloud-only, highlighting the overwhelming preference for hybrid cloud models. Hybrid cloud environments provide access to cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), encouraging further innovation that might be limited in a private cloud-only environment. By leveraging AI and ML tools, organisations can maximise resources and increase productivity, driving greater business value.
How IT teams can effectively manage the transition
Successfully managing the transition to hybrid cloud requires a clear strategy, careful planning, and ongoing optimisation. A gradual approach can help minimise risks and ensure that business operations are not disrupted.
Many organisations are adopting cross-functional teams, uniting networking, cloud operations, and DevOps professionals to oversee hybrid cloud implementation. This cross-organisational collaboration brings a comprehensive perspective to the table, ensuring business and technical objectives align. By working together, teams can enhance cloud security and improve operational efficiency, leading to more successful outcomes in their cloud strategies.
The latest findings from the Cybersecurity Insiders Report highlight a significant challenge facing the industry: 93% of participants are concerned about the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, with 45% specifically pointing to this deficiency as a key barrier to cloud security adoption. Addressing this skills gap is imperative, and investing in continuous training is a vital strategy for organisations looking to strengthen their security measures.
To maintain the effective operation of a hybrid cloud environment, IT teams should focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) and best practices related to security and connectivity:
- Economic: Monitor cloud-related costs.
- Operational: Assess workload distribution and task completion.
- Usage: Analyse adoption rates to identify areas for improvement.
Benefits for enterprises adopting hybrid solutions
The hybrid cloud is redefining how companies approach their financial models by transitioning from substantial upfront capital expenditures (CapEx) to a more agile operating expenditures (OpEx) system. By leveraging cloud resources on a pay-as-you-go basis, companies can align their spending with usage, resulting in a more cost-effective solution. This flexibility streamlines operational costs and leads to significant savings over time.
The advantages of hybrid cloud extend beyond cost management; they also encompass long-term scalability and opportunities for innovation. Businesses can tap into public cloud resources to accommodate temporary spikes in demand without the burden of committing to permanent infrastructure expansion. As organisations harness cutting-edge tools, such as AI and ML – which can only be used to their full potential through a public cloud set up – they can drive innovation and enhance their competitive edge.
Looking ahead: The future of hybrid cloud
As the cloud landscape continues to evolve, the hybrid cloud model is expected to remain a dominant trend, driven by both technological and geopolitical factors. According to Statista, the hybrid cloud market is projected to grow from USD $129.68 billion in 2024 to USD $352.28 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.12% during the forecast period.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly around data sovereignty and national security, are likely to drive more countries and enterprises toward hybrid or private cloud solutions. Governments may increasingly require that sensitive data be stored in local data centres, pushing organisations toward hybrid models that allow them to maintain control over their data while still accessing the scalability of public cloud.
As organisations continue to juggle regulatory requirements, security concerns, and operational needs, hybrid cloud is set to accelerate in enterprise IT. The ability to tailor infrastructure to precise business requirements will continue to make hybrid models attractive for organisations across several vertical industries.
The move from private to hybrid cloud offers enterprises and tech teams a powerful combination of flexibility, scalability, and control. While the transition presents new challenges, particularly around security and operational complexity, it also opens doors to innovation and cost savings. By adopting a phased approach and prioritising security, IT teams can ensure a smooth and successful transition to a hybrid cloud future.
Moussa Zaghdoud
Moussa Zaghdoud is Executive Vice President, Cloud Communication Business Division, of Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.
