Cloud computing has been a savior for many industries in the COVID-19 times. While many industries may have been forced into digitalization due to the pandemic, Cloud computing acted as the solution for many others. Whether it was scaling up at unprecedented levels, or making appropriate changes to the work environment, the power of Cloud helped businesses in all aspects. Perhaps this is why despite displaying slowed growth, Cloud Service Providers registered massive revenue spikes amid the ongoing pandemic.
With the change in usage patterns and demands from different industries amid the COVID-19 challenge, several new trends have also emerged in the Cloud computing industry. This is where Gartner’s Hype Cycle comes in and helps Cloud enthusiasts separate hype from viability. Gartner Hype Cycle tries to paint a fair picture of new advancements in the Cloud industry, while predicting future patterns. More information on the methodology of Hype Cycle can be accessed here.
Today, we aim to discuss the three prominent trends pointed out in the Hype Cycle that, as per Gartner, are going to prove important for the immediate future.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
The workplace has been one of the places that has drastically changed due to COVID-19. With businesses having to adopt to work-from-home scenarios, and staggered attendance even in the recovery period, flexibility in working has been the focus for companies. Since many workers do not have access to secure devices, ensuring that the network and services remain secure has been a major challenge for businesses.
This is where SASE steps in as it offers Cloud-delivered secure branch office, remote worker access, zero trust network access, and software-defined WAN. As per Gartner, around 40 percent of enterprises will strive to adopt SASE by 2024, up from around 1 percent of 2018. The market has already witnessed a dozen SASE announcements in the past year, and this displays the enthusiasm of vendors in the technology. Given the way SASE addresses the general security concerns of enterprises, expect wide adoption especially after the pandemic-induced digitalization wave.
Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
Businesses these days are increasingly replying on multi-Cloud deployments. While this has its own positives, there are also some challenges involved with a multi-Cloud environment. Proper management is one obvious issue, and it is taken care of by well-qualified Cloud Management Platforms CMPs. However, another concern that enterprises have is regarding security configuration.
The increased number of public data breaches during recent times has made security an even greater concern for enterprises. This is where CSPM steps in by making sure that enterprises with multi-Cloud deployments can be certain that their Cloud services are implemented in a secure manner. CSPM relies on automation to ensure that enterprises do not have to worry about cloud security management for IaaS, PaaS, or even SaaS infrastructures.
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)
With the rise in adoption of multi-Cloud environments and a staggered workforce amid pandemic times, enterprises are also concerned about their data stored in other systems. Not just security, but the aforementioned scenario also raises governance concerns. The enterprises strive for achieving consistency in security and governance policies in the multi-Cloud environment.
This is where CASB emerges as the perfect solution for enterprises. CASBs are designed in a manner that it protects enterprises’ data stored in third-party’s systems. Thus, ensuring consistent security and governance policies for the company. Such is the importance of CASBs that even in an environment where IT budgets are expected to decline, expenditure on CASBs still shows promises of growth.
Lastly, the Gartner Hype Cycle also talks about many other technologies in the Cloud space. One among such technologies in Confidential Computing that promises to address concerns of industries such as finance, insurance, and even healthcare, which demand high regulation. However, these technologies still require some time to show promise of viability. Watch this space for wider coverage of Cloud computing industry and in-depth analysis of Cloud trends.
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