Info-Tech's Infrastructure and Operations 2024 report
outlines the top areas of focus for infrastructure and operations
leaders, which include embedding FinOps integration, cost control,
cloud resilience, data strategy, and zero trust security. The
insights provided in the report aim to equip leaders with the
strategies required for optimizing infrastructure, ensuring
security, and driving organizational success in the dynamic digital
economy.
LONDON, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As organisations
prepare for the complexities of 2024, they face the task of not
only maintaining their current IT operations but also adopting and
integrating emerging technologies like generative AI (Gen AI). The
Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report by
Info-Tech Research Group aims to guide I&O leaders through this
dual challenge.
Info-Tech's annual report highlights five strategic priorities
essential for navigating the exponentially evolving digital
landscape, focusing on realism and responsibility in embracing
technological change. The report provides actionable insights,
helping leaders align their I&O strategies with broader
business objectives, ensuring they remain competitive in an
exponentially digital economy.
'As the landscape continues to evolve, UK I&O teams are
embracing adaptability and moving beyond traditional methods to
innovative solutions like no-code platforms,' explains
Nigel Bowles, Vice President for UK
and Ireland. 'This shift
towards a more democratised IT landscape not only mitigates risks
but also carves out new pathways for delivering enhanced services
and achieving strategic business outcomes.'
The Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024
report highlights the significant shifts and challenges that
I&O leaders must navigate. It highlights the critical impact of
Gen AI, economic pressures, cloud migration, and the imperative of
maintaining robust security measures. By identifying these areas as
focal points, the report aims to equip I&O professionals with
the insights needed to align their strategies with the evolving
demands of the digital landscape, ensuring operational resilience
and strategic growth in the face of change.
'Infrastructure and operations leaders grapple with the
critical task of setting priorities for the coming year, a process
that's as much about the art of strategic foresight as it is about
the science of operational management,' says Emily Sugerman, senior research analyst at
Info-Tech Research Group. 'This delicate balance between
maintaining existing systems and showcasing IT's broader business
value is complicated by external factors and past decisions. Yet,
it's the essential groundwork, system maintenance alongside
innovative project work, that enables IT to deliver substantial
business value, even as the technological landscape
evolves.'
Drawing on a wealth of data and insights, the new report
leverages a blend of data and insights, incorporating findings from
in-depth CIO interviews and expert analyses. It also utilises data
from Info-Tech's CIO Business Vision diagnostics program and the
firm's Tech Trends 2024 report. This comprehensive approach
ensures the report offers a well-rounded view of the industry's
current state and future.
The Infrastructure and Operations Priorities 2024 report
provides I&O leaders with insights to navigate the complexities
of the digital era, highlighting five pivotal priorities. The
following priorities will assist I&O professionals in fostering
innovation, aligning strategies with organisational objectives, and
ensuring readiness for future challenges and opportunities:
- Embed FinOps – Unearthing cloud's business
value.
This priority underscores the need to manage cloud
costs proactively, moving beyond simple usage to a strategic
approach that ensures every dollar spent on the cloud drives
business value. By implementing FinOps practices,
organisations aim to balance cost, speed, and quality, making cloud
spending more transparent and accountable. I&O leaders should
champion a collaborative FinOps culture, focusing on transparency
and accountability in cloud costs. The research recommends the
establishment of cross-functional FinOps teams and the utilisation
of cost management tools.
- Control Costs in Operations - Respond to economic challenges
with efficient resource management.
In response to economic
pressures, this focus emphasises the importance of resource
efficiency. According to the research, this means doing more with
less, streamlining operations, and cutting unnecessary expenditures
without compromising on service quality or business continuity. IT
and finance teams must work together to implement cost-control
measures, focusing on automation and efficient resource management
to navigate economic pressures.
- Establish Business Continuity Plans for Critical Systems in
the Cloud - Improve IT resilience.
Highlighting the shift of
critical systems to the cloud, this priority advocates for robust
continuity planning to ensure resilience. It involves preparing for
and quickly recovering from data breaches or system failures
to minimise downtime and maintain trust. According to the
report, I&O professionals should lead the development of robust
business continuity plans, ensuring systems remain resilient in the
face of disruptions.
- Support the Productization of Data - Proactively seek to
understand Infrastructure's role.
This initiative calls for
treating data as a strategic asset, emphasising its role in
decision-making and business strategies. It involves enhancing data
management practices to improve accessibility, accuracy, and
security, thereby enabling better business outcomes. Data
architects and I&O leaders need to collaborate on enhancing
data management practices, focusing on security, accessibility, and
strategic use of data to drive business outcomes.
- Continue to Pursue Zero Trust Security - Collaborate with
security teams to implement zero trust security.
With
cybersecurity threats evolving, adopting a zero-trust framework is
crucial. This approach assumes that threats could be internal or
external and, therefore, verifies every access request as if it
originates from an open network, minimising the risk of data
breaches. The report recommends that security and I&O teams
implement zero-trust frameworks, with a focus on rigorous access
controls and continuous verification to mitigate cyber
threats.
With the digital era evolving at an exponential pace, the
Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report
aims to provide I&O leaders with a critical roadmap to align
their operations with future demands. By embracing the recommended
priorities, leaders can position their teams at the forefront of
innovation and operational excellence. This strategic approach
empowers organisations to not only meet but exceed their overall
goals, ensuring they remain agile and competitive in a landscape
marked by constant change and technological advancement.
For exclusive media commentary from Info-Tech's subject matter
experts or to access the complete Infrastructure &
Operations Priorities 2024 report, please contact
pr@infotech.com.
About Info-Tech Research
Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading
information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving
over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly
relevant research to help CIOs and leaders make strategic, timely,
and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has
partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything
they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they
deliver measurable results for their organisations.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to
research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry
analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access,
contact pr@infotech.com.
For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to view the
latest research, visit infotech.com and connect
via LinkedIn and X.
Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan,
Senior PR Manager, Info-Tech Research
Group, salhassan@infotech.com, +1 (888) 670-8889
x2418
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