The truth about multicloud

There is no denying that cloud technology is now the cornerstone of a successful business and IT strategy. In Australia alone, research reveals that 97% of organisations have now made investments into the cloud.

Alongside this rapid adoption has been the rise of multicloud strategies. A cloud computing strategy, multicloud leverages multiple cloud service providers or platforms to host an application or website to run as a service or as an underlying technology infrastructure.

If implemented effectively, multicloud unlocks a host of benefits including cost savings, the flexibility to capitalise on the best features of each provider, and the ability to reduce risk by creating redundancy across different cloud providers. However, for many businesses, reaching the ‘nirvana’ of cloud computing has been fraught with a number of obstacles. Additionally, though as many as 75% of organisations have begun developing a multicloud strategy, most are still only fully maximising the benefits of one cloud provider.

It’s no surprise that the skills gap continues to pose a significant obstacle. Multicloud strategies can be complex and, coupled with the myriad of information and opinions around the multicloud, many are struggling to make informed decisions about their cloud strategy. Additionally, cloud skills are relevant but not completely transferable across providers. You can’t just expect a team of AWS-certified engineers to jump straight across to GCP or Azure and start shipping on day one without further training and practical experience.

So, what is the truth when it comes to what you really need to know about the multicloud? We’ll sift through the flood of information to discern myth from fact and what tech teams need to know to succeed in their multicloud endeavours.

Mapping the multicloud — how did we get here?

Understanding the evolution of multicloud is essential in building successful cloud computing strategies across platforms.

Initially, cloud computing offerings were not widely adopted due to underdeveloped features and functions. It wasn’t until 2010 that both public and private clouds became functional enough for organisations to commit to making the switch.

Hybrid cloud was similarly introduced in 2011 but not widely adopted due to challenges in shifting workloads between cloud offerings especially between public and private clouds. However, with the boom in cloud computing, organisations began to adopt multiple SaaS providers, paving the way for multicloud adoption.

Still, public cloud dominates the cloud landscape, with providers like AWS, GCP and Microsoft Azure supporting the lion’s share of organisational cloud computing efforts. Many multicloud strategies are built using multiple public cloud providers.

Regardless of the approach, understanding the evolution of cloud computing is key to building new and better strategies for success across platforms.

What you need to know to avoid bumps in the road

As multicloud adoption continues to grow, organisations face several challenges in managing their complex cloud environments.

The crux of the challenge lies in a rushed implementation of a multicloud strategy, without the proper planning or consideration required. Without possessing the adequate knowledge or understanding of each cloud environment, migration can be a daunting task for IT teams. Managing multicloud complexities, such as interoperability and data migration, can result in a difficult and costly experience down the road.

Not only this, but securing a multicloud environment presents a significant challenge as each cloud platform may have different security protocols and vulnerabilities. Leaders and technologists have identified cybersecurity as the biggest skills gap in their teams.

As such, organisations must prioritise developing the necessary skills and resources to effectively manage their multicloud environments, including mitigating security risks across multiple providers.

How do you take the next step in multicloud maturity?

While it can be tempting for many to rapidly adopt a multicloud approach, it has become increasingly clear that not all are ready to develop, implement and maintain a fully functional and strategically designed multicloud infrastructure.

For those looking to leverage cloud-specific capabilities, implementing a multicloud environment is just the first step. The real goal is to operate within a cost-effective multicloud strategy that delivers tangible benefits to the business.

Before a cloud platform is even added to the mix, it’s critical for teams to have a deep understanding of each of the cloud platforms they’re working with so that they can leverage them most effectively — not just add to the pile of cloud-related costs. Leaders must invest in their team’s learning and development by providing them with the necessary tools, time and technology to build their multicloud skills.

This could include certifications, on-demand courses, hands-on labs, skills assessments and sandboxes. Hands-on practice with cloud computing is one of the most effective ways to become an expert in multiple cloud providers, and cloud sandbox environments help technologists do just that. By setting aside dedicated learning time and resources, leaders can help their teams achieve the technical proficiency needed to effectively manage their multicloud environment and the complexity that leads to increased costs, security risks and overheads.

Equipped with this knowledge, IT teams can only then begin to understand which multicloud approach is right for them and how to scale good cloud governance across multiple platforms. Serving as the organisation’s ‘North Star’, implementing a strict policy will be critical to outlining best practices for managing an organisation’s cloud resources across various platforms. With a strong cloud governance policy in place, organisations can then confidently navigate the ever-changing landscape of cloud computing and avoid getting stranded.

As businesses navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving technology landscape, it’s important to recognise that people, not just technology, are the driving force behind growth and innovation. To truly accelerate progress, leaders must prioritise investing in their technologists’ growth and development, especially in the realm of multicloud environments.

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