Less than one in five IT professionals believe their cloud infrastructure meets their organisation’s needs, according to a new study by SolarWinds. The findings, based on a survey of 272 global IT professionals, reveal significant challenges in cloud adoption, with only 25 per cent describing their approach as carefully considered and successful.
The study highlights that hybrid cloud strategies often introduce unexpected complexity. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents admitted their cloud implementations had resulted in overly intricate IT environments. This complexity has driven some organisations to reverse course, with 16 per cent repatriating workloads to on-premises systems. Poorly planned transitions are not without cost; 12 per cent of IT professionals reported lasting financial impacts from cloud migrations executed without sufficient foresight.
Security concerns also persist, with nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents opting to store their most sensitive data on-premises. This hesitation reflects ongoing mistrust in the security capabilities of cloud platforms, despite the widespread adoption of hybrid models.
Amid these challenges, IT teams remain focused on the cost-cutting potential of cloud technologies. Almost a third (29 per cent) of those surveyed said their cloud strategies prioritised operational cost reductions. However, the reluctance to seek external support persists, with only 22 per cent investing in services to guide their migration efforts.
Sascha Giese, Global Tech Evangelist at SolarWinds, emphasised the difficulty of managing hybrid cloud ecosystems effectively. “While the cloud promises scalability and cost savings, the gap between expectation and execution is becoming increasingly evident. Businesses often grapple with complex infrastructures that fail to meet their evolving needs,” he said.
Giese underscored the importance of adopting a strategic approach, noting that poorly managed migrations lead to fragmented systems and operational inefficiencies. “In a hybrid cloud world, managing microservices and containers adds layers of difficulty. Tool sprawl, information silos, and alert fatigue exacerbate these challenges, making it harder to identify and resolve critical issues,” he added.
The solution, Giese argued, lies in leveraging comprehensive observability to gain real-time visibility into IT estates. He highlighted the role of machine learning and AI-driven analytics in enabling IT leaders to act proactively. “Cloud infrastructure can be a powerful enabler of growth, but without proper planning and visibility, it becomes a source of frustration and inefficiency,” he concluded.
The research underscores the need for organisations to balance ambition with preparation in their cloud strategies. As IT professionals navigate these complexities, strategic investments in planning, visibility, and security will be critical to ensuring the cloud delivers on its promises.
