Bulletproof IT strategies needed as cloud, IoT adoption climb

Enterprises now acknowledge that technology drives business today. Because of this, IT departments now face plenty of challenges as business processes transition to digital. New technologies such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are also finding more use in enterprise computing as they already have shown to be game-changing advantages for those who adopt them.

Companies are shifting more of their workloads and infrastructure to the cloud to maximize the flexibility that cloud computing provides. However, this also means that IT departments now face new challenges of managing complex hybrid infrastructures.

More devices are also being connected to company networks. Smart phones now function as productivity tools giving rise to bring-your-own device (BYOD) schemes in workplaces. The increase in remote work and telepresence is also contributing to this. Teleconferencing platform ClickMeeting revealed that 32 percent of webinar attendees join meetings using mobile devices. Cameras, energy management devices and smart appliances have also now become integral to many offices.

Stakes are high in enterprise IT. Downtime is costly and cyberattacks are a constant threat to any network that’s connected to the internet. As such, there is real need for organizations to formulate bulletproof IT strategies. This, however, requires careful planning and consideration.

Here are three areas that solid IT strategies need to cover and anticipate especially now that IoT and cloud adoption factor in to the equation.

1 -- Security

One of the pressing concerns for companies today is cybersecurity. Cybercrime has become a profitable enterprise so criminals are always looking for targets to victimize. For companies, falling victim to attacks can be costly. According to web security firm Incapsula, downtime caused by a distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS) attack on companies costs around $500,000 on the average.

Cloud and IoT adoption are introducing more endpoints to the infrastructure. Each of these could be exploited if left unsecured. All it takes is a vulnerable endpoint for attackers to breach a system. Companies must have robust security protocols in place which should include measures to both mitigate and respond to incidences.

While the common approach is to integrate web application firewalls and DDoS mitigation to the network, IT teams must now ensure that each device connected to the network is free from vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, the proliferation of low-cost devices even contributes to the threat of attacks. Most of these devices have little to no security features which leave them exposed to malware attacks. The Mirai botnet, which has been responsible for major DDoS attacks on record, uses hijacked security cameras and network devices to carry out its attacks.

2 -- Scalability

One key advantage cloud computing brings is scalability. It is now possible for companies to just ramp up the computing resources at their disposal as needed. The popularity of as-a-service options enables companies to essentially outsource various layers of their IT infrastructure. This even allows companies to be flexible in IT spending.

Still, IT teams must take into account the interoperability of the services they acquire. Some apps and services may have limited interoperability. Even today, Mac and PC interoperability continue to have nagging issues. The influx of mobile devices could further complicate this issue.

Another angle regarding IT scalability that some strategies overlook is human resources. These developments only add to the responsibilities of IT departments. Security, by itself, is already a 24/7 responsibility and the addition of various endpoints that need to be managed only add to the teams workload. IoT adoption can easily add hundreds of new devices to the infrastructure. According to Cloud Management Suite, an estimated 20 billion IoT devices will be online by 2020. Over 90 percent of these devices are business related.

Unfortunately, capable IT talent can be scarce. As such, it is critical for strategies to incorporate automation and management tools that would help IT teams to become more efficient. Services like Cloud Management Suite can help IT teams become more effective in managing multiple endpoints including a variety of IoT devices. Through such services, teams could remotely manage devices and even automate tasks such as updates and firmware patching.

3 -- User Experience

Among the most common reasons why IT strategies run into issues is the failure to account for the human element. Business leaders can get too enamored with the technology and fail to consider who well it would fit into their own organizational context especially with how staff would effectively take to such systems.

The human element remains to be one of top issues in IT systems. For end users, user experience (UX) is everything. IT should always be supportive of people and processes. According to UX firm Experience Dynamics, 70 percent of projects fail because of lack of user acceptance so it pays to involve end users and make them part of planning even at early stages.

Changes are inevitable when adopting new technologies so IT strategies must take change management into account. Staff must be educated regarding proper use and best practices of tools and resources. Over 80 percent of security incidences have been caused by human error. The strategy should consider establishing user experiences that not only boost productivity but prevent errors as well.

Ensuring that IT brings solutions

IoT and cloud computing is all the rage these days and they do offer many benefits to organizations that adopt them. However, instead of just jumping on the bandwagon, companies must have a solid strategy to support their decision.

It is also critical for decision makers to understand what possible issues may arise from this. New technology adoption may either be panacea or Pandora’s Box. Plans must be in place to ensure that IT serves more of the former.

Ultimately, IT strategies must be motivated by business goals so that even the choice of which specific technologies to embrace would create or add value to the business.

Peter Davidson works as a senior business associate helping brands and start ups to make efficient business decisions and plan proper business strategies. He is a big gadget freak who loves to share his views on latest technologies and applications.