Maintenance Week October 2023

Throughout the week of October 9th 2023, we will be performing maintenance on DataYard’s infrastructure and customer servers. This will include performing updates to all managed server infrastructure, including tasks that require reboots/shutdowns/service interruptions.  Maintenance will begin at 12:00AM EST and will be completed by 8:00AM EST throughout various days this week. Making IT Better!

Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat: 1.800.982.4539 or [email protected].

DataYard’s 2023 Predictions – Cloud Forward

Cloud Computing

DataYard has been helping technology professionals deploy cloud computing solutions for over a decade and as the needs of the market evolve so do our solutions. This report outlines our predictions for next year. We leveraged strategic and budgeted plans from our clients, partners and regulations to establish this punch list of likely focus points we are going to be addressing next year! 

Top 9 Top Cloud Computing Trends in 2023

The cloud has been a game-changer for the tech industry, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With such rapid growth, it can be tough to keep up with the latest trends. But knowing what’s on the horizon is critical for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition. Here are top cloud computing trends that will impact IT professionals in 2023;

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • The Rise of Serverless Cloud
  • Hybrid cloud
  • IoT Platforms
  • Automation
  • Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
  • Cloud Disaster Recovery (CDR)
  • Edge computing
  • Virtual cloud desktops 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cloud data centers provide everyone with the computing power and bandwidth that machine learning platforms need for training and processing data. The majority of the “every day” AI we encounter every day—from Google Search to Instagram filters—lives in the cloud, where machine learning is used to manage storage infrastructure and route traffic from data centers to our devices. In 2023 and beyond, this interdependence between cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) will only deepen. Language modeling, which improves the precision with which machines can grasp human languages, and “creative” algorithms, generative machine learning that can produce anything from art to synthetic data to train additional AIs, will be major themes in AI. Cloud computing will undoubtedly be crucial in both providing these services to customers and creating the necessary infrastructure. 

  • The Rise of serverless Cloud

Serverless cloud is a new concept that is gaining market traction from providers such as Amazon (AWS Lambda), Microsoft (Azure Functions), and IBM Cloud Functions. It’s also known as “functions-as-a-service,” and it means that businesses aren’t constrained to leasing servers or paying for fixed quantities of storage or bandwidth. It provides a true pay-as-you-go service in which the infrastructure increases discreetly as an application’s needs change. Of course, it isn’t truly serverless – the servers remain – but it offers another degree of abstraction between the user and the platform, removing the need for the user to become involved in configurations and technicalities. Serverless computing in the cloud will play a significant role in the broader trend of generating new user experiences that make innovation more accessible throughout the cloud and the entire digital landscape.

  • Hybrid cloud

Many businesses choose a hybrid cloud approach, which combines public cloud services with the establishment of a private cloud dedicated to a single organization. This is particularly true for firms that gather sensitive data or operate in highly regulated industries such as insurance, where data privacy is critical. A hybrid solution is appealing because it provides the required level of control while allowing organizations to innovate and scale as they roll out new services for their customers. The global hybrid cloud market is anticipated to be valued at $145 billion in 2026, up from $51 billion in 2020. 

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  • IoT Platforms

One of the most well-known cloud computing developments in today’s hyper-connected society is the rise of IoT platforms. According to one analysis, the number of connected things utilized would increase to 25 billion by 2021, up from 14.2 billion in 2019. An IoT platform is a cloud-enabling platform that works with common devices to enable cloud-based applications and administrations. IoT acts as a middleman, gathering data from multiple devices through remote device setup and smart device management.

  • Automation

Automation is a crucial driver of cloud adoption, particularly when it comes to boosting company operations efficiency. Companies that consolidate their data and systems on the cloud can automate many of their internal procedures, such as data consolidation from multiple locations or the generation of business intelligence dashboards. Many organizations are striving to tighten connections between different pieces of software in order to better manage their expanding cloud footprints and ensure that solutions from diverse suppliers perform seamlessly together.

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  • Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cybersecurity concept that establishes a secure link between applications/services and organizational entities such as people, systems, and devices. SASE is a framework for integrating network security services (like SWG and FWaaS). It also offers extensive WAN capabilities to support digital businesses all across the world. As a result, industry analysts believe SASE can help businesses defend against cyber threats. Several SASE providers now provide secure web gateways (SWG). This can also assist your organization in blocking undesirable traffic while complying with company security standards.

Businesses are reconsidering their approach to security and risk management as employees use more services and data from their own devices that are not connected to their organizations’ IT networks. Gartner’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud-based approach to IT security that addresses the changing nature of work. Companies that use a SASE architecture benefit from cloud-based network security services such as secure gateways, firewalls, zero-trust network access, and more. This is a strong approach to IT security that enables enterprises to deploy new cloud services fast while remaining confident that their systems are secure. 

  • Cloud Disaster Recovery (CDR)

Cloud disaster recovery is a cloud-based solution that integrates a number of backup methodologies and services to protect resources such as data, programs, and configuration. Following a crisis, these cloud backups enable firms to restore any impacted data and restart normal operations. Emerging cloud trends can assist businesses in developing a dedicated, custom-made cloud disaster recovery solution. 

  • Edge computing

It is a technique for improving the distributed computing network framework by doing information preparation at the organization’s edge, near the source of the information. It continually relies on cloud employees to deal with less time-sensitive material or to keep information for as long as feasible. Rather than a centralized cloud, this type of cloud computing brings data processing — collection, storage, and analysis — closer to the sources of the data. This minimizes latency while also enabling the use of edge devices. Edge computing powers smart gadgets like smartphones, smartwatches, and smart cars, as well as the interconnectedness of all the data created by these technologies. 

  • Virtual cloud desktops

A virtual cloud desktop, also known as desktop-as-a-service, is a cloud-based service that sends the whole desktop operating system and software applications directly to a laptop, desktop, or another device. Companies are simply charged for the time their employees spend signing in to their devices, and they are not required to pay for hardware upgrades. Virtual cloud desktops may also be immediately scaled, ensuring that businesses always have the licenses and devices they require to service their expanding workforce. According to Allied Market Research, the global market for virtual cloud desktops is expected to reach $10.2 billion by 2023, rising at a compound annual growth rate of 16.5 per cent since 2017.

To sum it up

In 2023, cloud adoption will continue to revolutionize the corporate landscape, assisting businesses in addressing some of their most pressing concerns. We continue to see a rapid digital transition, and it is fascinating to watch how technology evolves and new trends arise. It will be interesting to see how these cloud tendencies develop further. It is important to get on board with adoption. These trends will have a good long-term impact on your company and your clients. 

7 Technology Trends Emerging In 2022

A PC and Mac next to each other on a desk
  1. Digital-First, Remote-First Dominates the Technology Landscape

Let’s start with the most obvious technology trends as we look to 2022 – digital-first. It is mainstream and shaping business today. For example, workforces are more remote than ever. As a result, they demand more substantial connectivity, plus greater reliability from that connectivity. And they require it 24/7.

Your customers have come to expect a similar service level. For many, digital has become the preferred means of communicating and interacting with your business. Your reward for keeping pace with that demand is greater customer loyalty, not to more improved competitive differentiation.

Not surprisingly, according to a study by IDC, 70% of all organizations have accelerated their use of technology. As a result, new technologies and space redesigns will emerge to support hybrid collaboration.

  1. 5G Helps Deliver that Digital-First Focus

Improving networking and interconnectivity requires better and faster connections—for example, 5G averages more than 100Mbps, with peaks of 20Gbps. Plus, 5G supports up to a million connected devices per square kilometer versus 100,000 for 4G networks.

In addition, as the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes even more integral in business and our personal lives, the reliability of those internet connections becomes paramount. On a side note, the IoT certainly deserves mention as a continually emerging trend.

Equally important, the sheer number of people connecting to the internet has grown exponentially. For instance, 3.4 billion users used the internet in 2017. As we enter 2022, internet usage will expand to another 1.4 billion users. Moreover, those users will consume 4.8 zettabytes of data annually, whereas users consumed 437 exabytes of data in 2012. So, 2022 levels reflect a multiple of 11 compared to 2012 levels.

As a result, 5G will take center stage next year in the U.S. owing to its more substantial reliability and expanded bandwidth. All the major internet providers – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – will expand their 5G coverage. In 2021 alone, 5G connections globally tripled to 670 million.

That greater bandwidth delivers more responsive experiences. It also allows technology companies to make their devices more immersive. In addition, use cases for the IoT become more expansive, and with that comes greater adoption of edge computing. In short, 5G technology enables business much more than its predecessor, 4G.

By the way, 6G capabilities will begin to take shape in 2022. Starting in 2020, a Next G Alliance represented by Apple, AT&T, and Google, among others, has directed its focus on pushing toward 6G capabilities.

  1. More significant Expansion of Cloud Services

Gartner predicts cloud services spending will increase to more than $482 billion in 2022, up from $314 billion in 2020. Deloitte projects the industry cloud market at $640 billion within the next five years.

Source: Gartner

Although enterprises have reportedly migrated more than 83% of workloads to the cloud, there remains a chasm for what they host privately. Owing to compliance, regulatory, security, and privacy concerns, enterprises still maintain a sizable technology footprint in their data centers. That opens the door to a greater reliance on hybrid clouds and multi-cloud infrastructures to bridge the gap between data hosted on public clouds and on-prem.

Cloud-native applications will expand, as well. To optimize digital experiences, providers will take advantage of the cloud’s native capabilities, namely self-service provisioning, elasticity, and the power of cloud-managed services.

Cloud-native offloads the hosting burden and cost while optimizing business and technical process automation. Moreover, it allows the 24×7 response demanded by digital.

Finally, key cloud service providers like Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and IBM present the serverless cloud as a solution. Often referred to as “functions-as-a-service,” organizations no longer tie themselves into leasing servers or paying for fixed storage amounts or bandwidth.

You don’t have to contend with configurations or technical concerns as a user. Instead, the serverless cloud delivers a bona fide pay-as-you-go service that scales as required.

  1. Artificial Intelligence Impacts Cybersecurity

Cybercrimes continue to escalate. By 2021, costs reached $6 trillion and will climb to $10.5 trillion by 2025. In addition, a single data breach in 2021 cost an average of $4.24 million. Meanwhile, ransomware claims have grown 150% since 2018, according to AIG.

It’s little wonder, cyber artificial intelligence (AI), though in the early stages of adoption, presents a trending IT solution for 2022. As a result, the market will grow by $19 billion between 2021 and 2025.

As the cyber-threat landscape evolves, organizations need real-time monitoring and remediation solutions. And AI plays a substantial role in providing those capabilities. For example, it delivers real-time network traffic analysis that enables faster response and remediation of threats. In addition, it can more readily identify risks and cybercriminal behaviors to prevent future attacks.

In 2022, you can expect organizations to deploy threat management, threat intelligence, endpoint detection and response, continuous vulnerability scanning, and Security Operations Centers with greater frequency. If they’re incapable of managing these services internally, outsourcing IT support to managed IT service providers or cybersecurity companies will provide an option owing to cost reductions and greater efficiencies.

By the way, hackers have become increasingly familiar with the benefits of AI. So, expect them to enlist AI to launch attacks.

  1. Cybersecurity Technology Trends Shaping 2022

No technology discussion can be complete without addressing cybersecurity. It shaped 2021 and will continue to do so in 2022. We just mentioned how AI would impact the security space but, here are some other trends that will shape the cybersecurity industry next year:

  • Focus on Application Security: The first half of 2021 saw a 348% increase in API attacks, according to a report by Salt Labs. In addition, Gartner predicts that API abuses will become an enterprise’s most frequent attack vector. As a result, more organizations will take a strategic approach to API security, accounting for unique business logic in application source code. In addition, anomaly detection via AI will support improved API security and defense against known and unknown threats.
  • Improving Edge Security: As IoT devices proliferate, your attack surface expands. As a result, edge security becomes critical. Improved security starts with a focus on devices themselves. But, it extends to security protocols to improve protection, including deployment of next-gen endpoint protection.
  • Deployment of Zero-Trust: Today, security extends beyond an organization’s perimeter. Hybrid and remote workforces, the increased use of mobile devices, bring your own device (BYOD), and cloud services require a different approach to security. Consequently, zero-trust architectures will become a critical trend in identifying verified users. Moreover, micro-segmented areas associated with zero-trust provide more granular verification control.
  1. Locking Down Supply Chains: Supply chain attacks increased considerably in 2021. For example, 82% of organizations suffered a data breach due to a supply chain security weakness (BlueVoyant). So, not surprisingly, we’ll see enhancements to supply chain security throughout 2022. As a result, many organizations will request a complete list of software components leveraged within a software solution from supply chain vendors. Indeed, 60% of organizations will use cybersecurity risk to conduct third-party transactions by 2025 (Gartner).

  1. Edge Computing Emerges as a Key Technology Trend for 2022

As IoT devices increase, edge computing increases. By 2022, the global edge computing market will reach $6.72 billion.

Edge computing relieves the latency issues attached to cloud computing. By moving processing to where it needs to happen, organizations can deliver time-sensitive data to remote locations. In addition, it can do so with limited or even no connectivity to a centralized location. As such, edge computing acts as a mini data center.

Of course, the expansion of edge computing requires a more significant focus on security as many devices inherently lack security.

On the horizon…

  1. Blockchain Enjoys More Industry-Wide Adoption

Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) have been the darling of the media and the public. But these technologies are moving to the enterprise starting in 2022.

For example, Deloitte’s 2021 Global Blockchain Survey presented that 80% of the survey participants indicated their industries “will see new revenue streams from blockchain, digital assets, and/or cryptocurrency solutions.” As a result, spending will increase from $5.3 billion in 2021 to $34 billion in 2026.

Banking tops all industries from an adoption standpoint, followed by telecommunications, media, entertainment, manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, retail and consumer goods, and government.

At its core, blockchain enables companies to track transactions and conduct business with unverified parties without the need for a trusted third party to validate the transaction.

Making a chain of data that you can only add to and not change increases security substantially. In addition, blockchain is consensus-driven, meaning that no single entity can assume control of the data. Moreover, it reduces business conflicts while improving transparency, immutability, decentralization, and an append-only structure.

June Maintenance Week 2022

Throughout the week of June 13th 2022, we will be performing maintenance on DataYard’s infrastructure and customer servers. This will include performing updates to all managed server infrastructure, including tasks that require reboots/shutdowns/service interruptions.  Maintenance will begin at 12:00AM EST and will be completed by 8:00AM EST throughout various days this week. Making IT Better!

Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat: 1.800.982.4539 or [email protected]. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@datayardtechops & @datayard)!

May Maintenance Week 2022

Throughout the week of May 9th 2022, we will be performing maintenance on DataYard’s infrastructure and customer servers. This will include performing updates to all managed server infrastructure, including tasks that require reboots/shutdowns/service interruptions.  Maintenance will begin at 12:00AM EST and will be completed by 8:00AM EST throughout various days this week. Making IT Better!

Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat: 1.800.982.4539 or [email protected]. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@datayardtechops & @datayard)!

April Maintenance Week 2022

Throughout the week of April 18th 2022, we will be performing maintenance on DataYard’s infrastructure and customer servers. This will include performing updates to all managed server infrastructure, including tasks that require reboots/shutdowns/service interruptions.  Maintenance will begin at 12:00AM EST and will be completed by 8:00AM EST throughout various days this week. Making IT Better!

Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat: 1.800.982.4539 or [email protected]. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@datayardtechops & @datayard)!

Why buying your cloud direct is the more expensive option!

Cloud Service Providers Keep Your Data Yard in Order

When application providers or hosting managers look for cloud solutions to host their digital environments they have lots of choices to make.  Everything from the solution provider such as AWS vs Azure vs G-Cloud to the instances that are set up and how.  What about redundancy? Should you choose a public cloud architecture or private cloud architecture, what about a hybrid or multi-cloud?  The decisions are near endless and each deployment requires thought, strategy, and insight into both current and future needs. 

We often will face questions from clients and prospects surrounding why they should acquire a cloud environment through a service provider vs direct from the solution provider.  Our answer is simple… Do you know the answers to all the questions and options listed above? Are you prepared to bet your customers’ experience on it?  Companies turn to us to evaluate their needs, and how those needs are addressed within a cloud environment. Furthermore, the staff to competently deploy (nevermind properly), maintain, and manage high availability systems is very costly and often requires multiple individuals. The average cost of a DevOps resource today is $126,000 so if you need two, you are over a quarter million in salaries and you have not paid a penny to the solution provider yet.  

What about optimization and integration between systems and environments like in the case of multi or hybrid cloud architectures? Well, the complexity goes up and if these systems are not properly configured to work together or in parallel your computing costs will be far from optimized and will likely not properly perform as they should.  The truth is it takes an army to properly design, implement, optimize and maintain a cloud environment. That is what a cloud service provider (CSP) does, and because they spread those expensive resources over dozens of environments it in turn is more affordable than doing it alone.  

At DataYard we have designed some of the most robust and complex cloud environments, for some of the nation’s most recognizable brands and businesses that demand high performance and high uptime reliability.  In fact, our 99.999% average is nothing more than us properly configuring each environment for our clients’ needs, while ensuring proper updates and future deployments are coordinated and executed flawlessly. 

Next time you are comparing prices of “going it alone” vs working with a service provider, make sure to take into account the total cost of ownership (TCO) and ask yourself if deploying your valuable resources is best suited for making your cloud environment function or building more value for your customers.  We thought so!  Let’s build something great together… 

Check out DataYard’s RiSE program for information on how to get started.