A survey in the US has revealed a significant shift in the IT landscape there, driven by concerns surrounding cybersecurity. The study found that nearly half of American organisations are either considering or have already undertaken cloud repatriation, a process of moving existing cloud-based workloads back to on-premise infrastructure. This trend, dubbed “cloud repatriation,” has security anxieties at its core, with 41% of respondents citing it as the primary motivator, followed by unrealistic expectations associated with cloud migration.
However, the study paints a complex picture beyond just security concerns. While nearly all respondents have explored cloud repatriation in the past three years, the decision to move back on-premise often stems from a confluence of factors. Unexpected cost increases during cloud migration and unforeseen technical challenges encountered during the process also contribute to the repatriation trend.
Despite these challenges, the majority of IT leaders remain open to embracing the cloud in the future. They favour a hybrid approach, seamlessly integrating both cloud and on-premise infrastructure within their IT ecosystem. According to the Citrix survey, this hybrid strategy offers a compelling value proposition, allowing organizations to optimise costs, seamlessly integrate systems, and embrace innovation without compromising on agility or flexibility.
Interestingly, the study doesn’t provide a definitive answer on the inherent security advantage of either cloud or on-premise environments. While a third of respondents reported experiencing similar cyberattack rates regardless of location, others reported fewer incidents on-premise. This disparity highlights the complexity of the security landscape and the fact that the “best” approach depends on various factors specific to each organization.
Ultimately, the Citrix research underscores the ongoing quest for striking the ideal balance between cloud and on-premise solutions. Organizations are seeking a flexible and adaptable IT model that prioritizes security, compliance, and performance while remaining responsive to evolving business needs. This necessitates a nuanced understanding of the advantages and limitations of both cloud and on-premise solutions, allowing businesses to make informed decisions that align with their unique security posture and specific requirements.
We have already taken customers out of the cloud, saving a huge amount in future costs and giving them back control over their own data, whilst still being able to share their data securely across 3 continents. A client we have just provided a quote for, could save £175k over the next 10 years by coming out of the cloud and having no loss of the benefits they sought in the first place. For other customers, faced with large 365 bills or the potential cost of new servers and software, we have provided alternative solutions to fit their budget.
Please feel free to contact us to have a discussion about your potential options.