Hybrid cloud storage surpasses AI as top enterprise priority

Nasuni has released new research detailing key trends and challenges in data management, encompassing responses from over 1,000 IT decision-makers across the US, UK, and DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region. According to the report titled "The Era of Hybrid Cloud Storage," cloud data management has emerged as a higher priority for enterprises compared to artificial intelligence (AI).

The findings reveal that 54% of businesses regard cloud data management as a key investment area for the next 18 months, surpassing AI, which was considered a priority by 48% of respondents. A significant impediment to AI initiatives is the concern over data security and privacy, with 42% citing this as a major roadblock.

Cybersecurity remains a prevalent issue, despite a reported confidence among businesses in their cyber resilience. While 74% of firms believe they are well-defended against cyber threats, over half (53%) have experienced cyber attacks that they struggled to recover from. Moreover, 17% admitted to paying ransoms, and 8% faced subsequent attacks after making payment.

The research highlighted a shift in focus towards recovery rather than mitigation when dealing with ransomware attacks. Only 27% consider mitigating attacks as a primary concern, with a higher focus on recovering data (49%) and avoiding costly downtime (40%).

David Grant, President of Nasuni, remarked on the shifting priorities, stating, "As hybrid cloud storage takes centre stage, organisations need strategies to capitalise on their most valuable asset: data. In tandem, they need strategies for addressing critical IT issues including ransomware attacks and the introduction of AI integrations to the market. Legacy storage solutions cannot keep up with these demands. Nasuni's 'The Era of Hybrid Cloud Storage' report gives organisations the necessary industry and peer insights to understand and take action in a rapidly evolving cloud landscape."

The survey also uncovered that 97% of respondents are moving forward with cloud-first initiatives, aiming to bolster their business growth through significant investments in data management, analytics, AI, and cybersecurity. Currently, only 19% of companies employ a hybrid cloud storage model, but an overwhelming 65% plan to transition to one within the next year. Among those already using hybrid cloud solutions, 70% intend to upgrade within the next 18 months.

Data recovery remains a top priority, especially in the context of ransomware attacks, with 59% of organisations reporting that cloud initiatives have improved their data security and disaster recovery times. Despite the enthusiasm for AI, data privacy and security continue to pose significant challenges, preventing many organisations from fully developing or implementing AI solutions. Additionally, 35% of respondents cited skills shortages as another barrier to AI adoption.

The survey, conducted by Sapio Research in March and April 2024, included purchasing decision-makers from organisations with 500+ employees, offering a comprehensive view of the current landscape and future trends in enterprise data management.