Trends in Cloud Computing Development in 2024

Trends in Cloud Computing Development in 2024

In 2024, cloud computing continues to play a central role in the digital transformation of businesses, providing companies with access to flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. As the cloud technology market evolves, new trends emerge that shape the future of the industry. In this article, we will explore the key trends in cloud computing for 2024, supported by relevant statistics.

1 Growth of Multi-Cloud Strategies

Multi-cloud strategies, involving the use of multiple cloud providers, are becoming increasingly popular among companies. According to a Gartner study, by 2024, more than 85% of large enterprises will use multi-cloud solutions, compared to 76% in 2022. This trend is driven by companies’ desire to avoid dependence on a single provider and to enhance the resilience of their IT infrastructures.

Multi-cloud strategies allow companies to select the best services from various providers, optimise costs, and improve performance. However, this approach requires significant effort in managing and integrating different cloud environments, creating demand for new tools and solutions for effective multi-cloud management.

2 Enhanced Security in Cloud Environments

Security concerns remain a key focus for companies using cloud technologies. In 2024, cloud security will become even more critical, especially given the increase in cyberattacks and data breaches. According to an IDC report, spending on cloud security solutions will rise by 21% in 2024 compared to 2023.

Particular attention will be paid to access management solutions, data encryption, and real-time threat monitoring. Cloud providers, in turn, are strengthening their efforts to protect customer data by implementing new security standards and improving their platforms. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for proactive threat detection and mitigation.

3 Integration with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are becoming integral parts of cloud computing. In 2024, more companies will integrate AI and ML into their cloud strategies to automate business processes, analyse data, and enhance customer experiences. According to McKinsey’s forecasts, by the end of 2024, around 70% of companies will use cloud solutions with built-in AI capabilities.

This trend is driven by the desire to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs. Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are actively expanding their AI services, offering businesses ready-to-use tools for incorporating AI and ML into their operations.

4 Increased Demand for Hybrid Cloud Solutions

Hybrid cloud solutions, combining private and public clouds, are becoming increasingly sought after in 2024. According to MarketsandMarkets, the hybrid cloud market is expected to reach $128 billion by 2024, a 22% increase compared to 2023.

Hybrid clouds allow companies to leverage the advantages of both private and public cloud solutions, providing flexibility, security, and control over data. This approach is particularly relevant for organisations operating in highly regulated environments, such as the financial sector and healthcare.

5 Cloud Computing Economics and Cost Management

As the popularity of cloud technologies grows, companies face the challenge of managing cloud service costs. In 2024, this aspect will become critical as companies strive to maximise the return on investment in cloud solutions. According to Flexera, 61% of companies in 2024 will prioritise optimising cloud service costs.

In response to this trend, cloud providers are offering new tools and services for monitoring and managing expenses, such as services for automating resource scaling based on workload and expense forecasting. Companies, in turn, are increasingly adopting FinOps (financial operations in the cloud) to optimise costs and improve the efficiency of cloud resource usage.

6 Expansion of Containerisation and Kubernetes

Containerisation and the orchestration of containers using Kubernetes continue to gain popularity in 2024. According to Gartner, by the end of 2024, more than 75% of global organisations will use container technologies for application deployment, compared to 60% in 2022.

Containerisation enables companies to develop, test, and deploy applications faster and at lower costs, ensuring portability and scalability. Kubernetes, as the primary platform for container management, is becoming the de facto standard for cloud application development and deployment.

7 Rise of Serverless Computing

Serverless computing continues to gain popularity in 2024, giving companies the ability to run applications without having to manage server infrastructure. According to DataDog, serverless usage has grown 32% in 2024 compared to 2023.

The serverless approach allows developers to focus on code and business logic without worrying about scaling and managing servers. This is especially attractive to startups and small businesses that need to quickly develop and deploy applications at a minimal cost.

Example of Using AWS Lambda

Let’s consider an example of using AWS Lambda to handle HTTP requests through API Gateway. Suppose we need to create a serverless function that returns the message “Hello, World!” in response to a GET request. Here’s a Python code example that can be used to create such a function:

import json
def lambda_handler(event, context):
return {
'statusCode': 200,
'body': json.dumps('Hello, World!')
}

This code defines a `lambda_handler` function that takes two parameters: `event` and `context`. The `event` parameter contains data about the request, while `context` provides information about the Lambda runtime environment. The function returns an object containing the HTTP status code `200` and a response body with the text “Hello, World!” converted to JSON format.

When this function is deployed in AWS Lambda and connected to API Gateway, it automatically handles incoming HTTP requests, returning the appropriate response. The advantage of the serverless approach is that developers don’t have to worry about scaling — AWS automatically increases or decreases the number of function executions based on the workload.

This example demonstrates how simple it is to create and deploy a serverless function using AWS Lambda. The entire process requires minimal effort and allows you to focus on implementing business logic without being distracted by infrastructure management. This is particularly valuable in 2024, when companies are aiming for rapid development and deployment of applications, while also reducing the costs associated with maintaining and managing infrastructure.

Using serverless computing on platforms such as AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, or Azure Functions is becoming a standard for developing microservices, web applications, and other solutions that require high flexibility and scalability. The ability to automatically scale, reduce operational costs, and shorten development cycles makes the serverless approach appealing to businesses of all sizes.

In 2024, there is a notable increase in the regional development of cloud technologies. Companies are aiming to deploy their cloud solutions closer to users to minimise latency and comply with local regulatory requirements. According to IDC forecasts, the share of regional cloud data centres is expected to grow by 15% in 2024 compared to 2023.

This trend is driving increased investment in the construction of new data centres and the improvement of network infrastructure across various regions of the world. Cloud providers are expanding their presence in new markets, offering localised solutions that meet the specific requirements of individual countries.

9 Growing Demand for Cloud Solutions in Sustainability and Environmental Practices

Environmental sustainability is becoming a significant factor when choosing cloud solutions. In 2024, companies are increasingly focusing on the environmental footprint of their cloud infrastructures. According to an Accenture report, 55% of companies will consider environmental aspects when selecting cloud providers in 2024.

Cloud providers are responding to this challenge by offering “green” solutions, including the use of renewable energy sources to power their data centres and optimising energy consumption. Companies, in turn, are implementing sustainable development strategies by leveraging cloud technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and optimise resource usage.

Conclusion

Cloud computing in 2024 continues to evolve, offering companies more opportunities to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of their operations. Multi-cloud strategies, security, artificial intelligence integration, hybrid solutions, cost management, containerisation, serverless computing, regional development, and environmental sustainability are all key trends that will shape the future of cloud technologies.

In light of these trends, companies need to adapt their cloud technology strategies to remain competitive and effectively utilise the opportunities that cloud computing provides.