Undoubtedly, the cloud reigns as the capstone of enterprise IT. Its reach is predicted to surpass $1 trillion in the global market by 2028 and a staggering $1.6 trillion by 2030. Enterprises are looking toward its boundless capabilities for adaptability, expansiveness, and financial efficiency. This phenomenon is further spurred by factors such as the proliferation of multi-cloud approaches, the fusion of state-of-the-art advancements like AI and the IoT, and the burgeoning adoption of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and choose-your-own-device (CYOD) models. As of 2024, 46% of corporations have shifted massive workloads to the public cloud, with more expected in the coming year.

Yet, the integration of cloud technology into the IT fabric of enterprises presents an array of obstacles. Although the cloud yields immense advantages, manoeuvring its intricacies and safeguarding against vulnerabilities can prove to be a challenge. 

In this blog post, we focus on the challenges encountered by your employees regarding the cloud and suggest how organizations can ready their workforce for the age of the cloud.

 

Top 5 Challenges Your Employees Will Face With the Cloud

  • Learning Curve and Skill Gap

Software One’s 2023 Cloud Skills Report reveals that a staggering 95% of businesses globally face a cloud and IT skills gap. As companies transition to cloud computing, their employees must acquire new abilities and skills. However, staying updated on the latest advancements and best practices in this rapidly evolving field can be challenging for professionals using cloud systems. Diverse providers offer multiple cloud architectures, deployment models, security and privacy aspects, as well as various cloud services like computing, storage, and databases. However, the absence of skilled professionals can pose a significant obstacle to effectively adopting and applying these solutions within an organization.

  • Connectivity Issues and Downtime

According to the 2024 Uptime Institute Data Center Resiliency Survey, networking and connectivity issues were cited by 31% of respondents as the main cause of IT service disruptions. IT system and software problems followed closely behind, with 22% identifying it as the primary root cause. A stable and rapid internet connection is crucial for effective utilization of cloud computing. Constant connectivity problems or sudden disconnection can lead to data loss and decreased work efficiency. Any disruption in internet services can have a significant impact on cloud-based technologies, causing frustration for employees and potential loss for the company.

  • Change Management and Resistance

The organization usually needs to make changes in methods, workflows, and the way it works when switching to cloud computing. Workers might resist these tweaks. According to Exasol’s study titled “Data Strategy and Culture: Paving the Way to the Cloud,” data teams at almost two-thirds (65%) of organizations report facing employee opposition against adopting data-driven methods. Even though there is an extremely high belief that 73% of employees are open to using such a method within these teams, it becomes very important to have effective change management strategies in place for managing this resistance properly and ensuring a smooth transition into the world of cloud computing.

  • Lack of Support and Resources

Moving to the cloud and controlling cloud environments can become complicated. Sometimes, organizations lack enough help and resources to deal with these difficulties effectively. A lack of expertise, inadequate training programs, or insufficient budgets for cloud projects might hamper an organization’s capacity to benefit from cloud computing. Issues like inefficient usage of resources, not meeting compliance requirements, or experiencing security problems could occur due to the absence of support and resources.

  • Security Concerns and Data Privacy

Flexera’s 2024 State of the Cloud Report on cloud obstacles for organizations reveals that security is the most significant concern, with 85% citing it. Additionally, 45% of breaches occur within clouds. A recent survey found that approximately 80% of companies experienced at least one cloud security incident in the past year. Furthermore, 27% encountered a security incident in the public cloud, a 10% increase compared to last year. Employees may have concerns about data confidentiality, data sovereignty, and safeguarding critical information in the cloud. Addressing these concerns involves providing guidance to employees and conducting instruction sessions on safety protocols in the cloud.

 

The Impact of Not Addressing These Problems

Neglecting the challenges your employees face during the transition can lead to a bumpy (and potentially costly) ride. Here’s a glimpse of the potential consequences:

  • Security Breaches: Unfamiliarity with cloud security protocols can leave your organization vulnerable to cyberattacks.
  • Decreased Productivity: Employees lacking a familiarity with the multiple cloud tools and interfaces may encounter difficulties when utilizing them, leading to a decline in work efficiency.
  • Shadow IT: The use of unapproved cloud applications, driven by worker frustration over limitations or the need for additional training, can result in security vulnerabilities and hinder data management processes.
  • Compliance Issues: Cloud environments that are not set up correctly or don’t follow the rules can lead to breaking regulatory standards, which may cause large fines and legal repercussions.

The Role of a Robust Support System

To ensure a smooth and successful transition, a robust support system is essential. Here’s how it empowers your team to conquer cloud challenges:

  • Taming the Learning Curve: The cloud environment often brings about novel interfaces, tools, and workflows. A resilient support system offers extensive training schemes, user manuals, and easily accessible resources to empower employees with the expertise required to prosper in the realm of the cloud.
  • Conquering Security Concerns: A robust support system directly confronts concerns about security by providing explicit protocols for secure utilization of the cloud, regulating access, and implementing safeguard measures for data. This cultivates a climate of heightened security consciousness and endows employees with the agency to make judicious choices.
  • Boosting Productivity: Adapting to new tools is necessary. A strong support system offers continual guidance and troubleshooting aid, reducing downtime and allowing employees to fully utilize the cloud’s efficiency-enhancing capabilities.
  • Empowering Champions: A robust support system identifies and nurtures leaders within your team who serve as advocates for adopting cloud technology. These leaders can offer assistance to colleagues, address fundamental inquiries, and foster a collaborative atmosphere for learning.

Conclusion

The era of the cloud has arrived, with a market poised to reach $1.6 trillion by 2030. Its capacity for scalability and cost-efficiency has attracted widespread adoption, yet challenges remain for employees adjusting to this novel approach. We have scrutinized the five primary obstacles – ranging from skill deficiencies to concerns surrounding security – and offer solutions for empowering your workforce to excel in leveraging cloud technology.

Trinus understands the challenges faced by enterprises when transitioning to the cloud. Our team possesses profound proficiency in the commercialization, standardization, and governance of cloud computing applications. We collaborate with you to reimagine your application landscape and utilize the boundless capabilities of the cloud to attain enhanced business outcomes in the contemporary digital age.

Trinus offers cloud engineering services to those seeking improved operational efficiency, decreased operational and infrastructure costs, or a competitive edge. Don’t let employee challenges hinder your organization’s growth and success. Contact Trinus today and unleash the flexibility of the cloud to propel your business forward.