The Top 7 Trends in Cloud Computing for 2023

Many of the most revolutionary technological developments, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), and remote and hybrid working, have been made possible by the widespread use of cloud computing. We may anticipate it enabling many more innovations including in the field of quantum computing.

Cloud computing allows infrastructural solutions to be accessible ‘as-a-service’ by cloud service providers, who run it on their servers in their data centers. We can anticipate that businesses will continue to use cloud services in 2023 to have easy access to cutting-edge technology and improve an organization’s operations and procedures. According to the HostingJournalist editorial staff, the seven key trends related to cloud computing for 2023 are as follows.

1. Cloud-Native Approaches Gain Traction

The adoption of cloud-native approaches is anticipated to continue to grow in 2023 as organizations seek to leverage the benefits of the cloud to increase the speed and agility of their operations.

Cloud-native approaches refer to the development and operation of applications that are designed specifically for cloud computing environments. These approaches take advantage of the unique features and capabilities of the cloud, such as on-demand scalability and self-healing, to build and run highly available and resilient applications.

In recent years, cloud-native approaches have gained traction as more and more organizations have migrated their workloads to the cloud. One of the main benefits of using cloud-native approaches is the ability to quickly and easily deploy and scale applications in response to changing demand. This can help organizations reduce the time and cost of software development and increase the speed and agility of their operations.

There are a number of practices and technologies that are commonly associated with cloud-native approaches, including the following:

• Microservices – Building applications as a collection of small, independent services that can be developed, tested, and deployed independently.
• Containers – Packaging applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers that can be easily deployed and run on any infrastructure.
• Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) – Automating the build, test, and deployment process to enable rapid, reliable delivery of software updates.
• Infrastructure as code – Using code and automation to provision and manage infrastructure, rather than manually configuring servers and other resources.
• Monitoring and observability – Using tools and techniques to monitor the performance and behavior of applications and infrastructure in real time, and to quickly identify and resolve issues.

2. A Rise in Cloud Security and Resilience Investments

The adoption of cloud security and resilience measures is expected to continue to expand in 2023 as organizations increasingly seek to protect their assets and operations in the cloud.

As more and more organizations migrate their workloads to the cloud, there has been a corresponding increase in investment in cloud security and resilience. It’s because the cloud introduces new security challenges, such as the need to protect against external threats and to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems.

To address these challenges, many organizations are investing in a range of security and resilience measures, including the following:

• Identity and access management (IAM) – Controlling who has access to what resources in the cloud, and enforcing least privilege principles to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
• Data encryption – Protecting sensitive data at rest and in transit using encryption technologies, such as AES and SSL/TLS.
• Security information and event management (SIEM) – Collecting, analyzing, and responding to security-related events and data from a variety of sources, including logs, network traffic, and other sources.
• Vulnerability management – Identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in cloud environments, including patch management, configuration management, and penetration testing.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity – Developing and testing plans and processes to ensure that critical systems and data can be quickly recovered in the event of an outage or disaster.

3. Cloud Driven by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The use of AI and ML in the cloud is expected to continue to grow in 2023 as organizations seek to leverage these technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage.Bovenkant formulier The development and use of cloud computing are increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). A few advantages that the cloud offers to AI and ML include the following:Onderkant formulier

• Access to large amounts of data and computing resources – The cloud allows organizations to access and process large amounts of data and leverage powerful computing resources on demand, which is essential for many AI and ML applications.
• Scalability – The cloud allows organizations to easily scale their AI and ML workloads up or down as needed, which is important given the variable and often unpredictable nature of these workloads.
• Flexibility – The cloud allows organizations to choose from a range of AI and ML services and tools, and to easily switch between different providers or platforms as their needs change.
• Cost effectiveness: The cloud can help organizations reduce the cost of AI and ML by eliminating the need to invest in expensive hardware and infrastructure.

One way that AI and ML are being used in the cloud is for personalized recommendations. By analyzing customer data, AI and ML algorithms can provide personalized recommendations for products, services, or content based on an individual’s interests and preferences. This can help organizations improve the customer experience and increase engagement and loyalty.

Another way that AI and ML are being used in the cloud is for predictive maintenance. By analyzing data from sensors and other sources, AI and ML algorithms can predict when equipment is likely to fail. This allows organizations to proactively perform maintenance before an outage occurs, reducing downtime and improving the reliability of their operations.

AI and ML are also being used in the cloud for fraud detection. By analyzing data from transactions and other sources, AI and ML algorithms can identify patterns that may indicate fraudulent activity. This can help organizations protect their assets and improve the security of their operations.

In addition, AI and ML are being used in the cloud for natural language processing. By analyzing and understanding text and spoken language, AI and ML algorithms can be used to improve customer service and other applications. For example, AI chatbots can be used to answer customer questions or provide support in real time, freeing up human agents to handle more complex tasks.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that AI and ML are being used in the cloud. As these technologies continue to evolve and mature, it is likely that we will see even more innovative and transformative uses of AI and ML in the cloud.

4. Cloud Services with Low Code or No Code

Low code or no code cloud services are platforms that allow users to build and deploy applications with minimal or no coding required. These platforms typically provide a graphical user interface (GUI) and a set of pre-built templates and components that can be easily assembled to create custom applications.

Low code or no code cloud services are increasingly being used by businesses of all sizes as a way to rapidly develop and deploy custom applications without the need for specialized technical skills or resources. These platforms can help organizations to:

• Reduce the time and cost of development – By eliminating the need for coding, low code or no code platforms can significantly reduce the time and cost of building and deploying custom applications.
• Increase agility – Low code or no code platforms can enable organizations to quickly and easily build and deploy new applications in response to changing business needs, helping to increase agility and competitiveness.
• Enhance collaboration – Low code or no code platforms can facilitate collaboration between business users and IT teams, enabling a more seamless and efficient development process.

There are a number of low code or no code cloud services available, including platforms such as Appian, OutSystems, and Mendix. These platforms are used to build a wide range of applications, including business process automation, customer relationship management (CRM), and ecommerce. The use of low code or no code cloud services are expected to continue to grow in 2023 as businesses increasingly seek to leverage these platforms to enlarge efficiencies, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage.

5. The Adoption of Sovereign Clouds 

Cloud service providers (CSPs) are stepping up cybersecurity measures in order to protect the data of their clients who are based in or conduct business with particular countries, underscoring the importance of sovereign clouds in protecting sensitive data stored within a nation’s vital information infrastructure.

Clouds that are created and run in a single country or area are referred to as sovereign clouds. They act as a bridge between the federal government and public cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, and others. Without compromising the dynamic functionality required for the international interchange of commodities, services, and information, a sovereign cloud satisfies a governing body’s legal and ethical criteria of data protection.

A sovereign cloud is not a novel idea. For instance, the US federal government moved its data to a cloud in 2009 that complied with strict legal and security requirements. The use and misuse of customer data has, however, grown to be a growing worry as a select few major businesses have come to dominate the cloud services industry ever since. Governmental entities have consequently responded by encouraging local cloud infrastructure or compelling large providers to adhere to data rules particular to their nation or area.

GAIA-X is a good example of a regional (European) sovereign cloud. In 2022, prominent cloud service providers and government agencies in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have partnered to establish country-specific sovereign clouds.

Some of the main drivers of the adoption of sovereign clouds include the following:

• Data sovereignty – Many organizations, especially in the public sector, are subject to laws and regulations that govern the storage and processing of data within a specific geographic region. Sovereign clouds enable these organizations to store and process data within their own borders, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Security – Sovereign clouds can offer enhanced security measures, such as strict access controls and advanced monitoring and detection capabilities, to protect against cyber threats and other vulnerabilities.
• Reliability – Sovereign clouds can offer high levels of reliability and uptime, making them well-suited for mission-critical applications and services.
• Compliance – Sovereign clouds can provide a range of compliance services, such as data classification, data loss prevention, and auditing, to help organizations meet regulatory requirements and protect sensitive data.

The adoption of sovereign clouds is expected to continue to grow in 2023 as more and more organizations seek to leverage these platforms to meet their specific needs and requirements for security, compliance, and reliability.

6. The Maturing of XaaS Cloud Offerings

XaaS stands for ‘Anything as a Service’ and refers to the delivery of a variety of services over the internet. These services are typically provided on a subscription basis and can be accessed remotely. Some examples of XaaS offerings include Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Analytics as a Service (AaaS), Database as a Service (DBaaS), Storage as a Service (STaaS), Functions as a Service (FaaS), Containers as a Service (CaaS), and Desktop as a Service (DaaS).

The XaaS model has become increasingly popular in recent years. Here are some benefits that businesses may experience when using the XaaS model for their operations:

• Cost savings – One of the main benefits of XaaS is that it allows businesses to access the services they need without having to invest in expensive hardware and software upfront. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the budget for large upfront investments.
• Flexibility and scalability – XaaS services can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of a business. This means that businesses only pay for the services they need, when they need them, which can be especially useful for companies with fluctuating demand.
• Improved efficiency – XaaS services are typically delivered over the internet, which means that employees can access them from anywhere with an internet connection. This can improve efficiency by allowing employees to work from home or remotely, and by reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure.
• Increased focus on core competencies – By outsourcing certain tasks to specialized service providers, businesses can focus on their core competencies and activities that generate revenue. This can lead to improved productivity and competitiveness.
• Improved security – Many XaaS service providers have robust security measures in place to protect their customers’ data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. This can give businesses peace of mind and reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.

As the XaaS market is maturing, service providers have begun to offer a wider range of services and have become more competitive in terms of pricing and features. Many have also focused on improving the reliability and security of their offerings. As a result, XaaS in 2023 will become a viable option for a wider range of businesses and organizations.

7. Cloud FinOps Becoming a Major Trend

Cloud FinOps is the practice of optimizing the financial management of cloud computing resources. It involves using data-driven insights and automation to optimize the cost and performance of cloud services.

Cloud FinOps has become a major trend in recent years as more and more businesses have adopted cloud computing. With the proliferation of cloud services, it has become increasingly important for businesses to have a clear understanding of their cloud costs and to ensure that they are getting the best value for their money.

Cloud FinOps practitioners use a variety of tools and techniques to optimize cloud spending, including cost optimization, budgeting, forecasting, and chargeback. By applying these techniques, businesses can reduce their cloud costs, improve the performance of their cloud services, and better align their cloud spending with their business objectives.

The adoption of Cloud FinOps is expected to continue to grow in 2023 as businesses seek to maximize the value of their cloud investments.