Top 9 cloud computing trends to watch in 2025
Explore the latest trends shaping the future of cloud computing in 2025
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate by offering a variety of service models and deployment options to meet diverse needs. Nearly every modern organization has embraced digital transformation driven by the cloud. However, emerging technologies, evolving business models and enhanced cybersecurity measures continue to drive on-going transformations in the enterprise cloud market.
In this article, we'll explore the top cloud computing trends in 2025, including industry-specific cloud solutions, green cloud, quantum-enhanced AI cloud and more. It is imperative for business leaders to stay ahead of these trends, seizing opportunities to innovate, differentiate and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the cloud.
Trend 1 Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies
The enterprise cloud ecosystem is becoming a hyperconnected network of services, applications and devices. Recognizing the need for greater flexibility, resilience, compliance and cost optimization, businesses have already begun shifting toward hybrid and multi-cloud strategies. However, this trend is expected to increase as businesses seek to effectively navigate the increasingly complex cloud landscape.
Hybrid cloud strategies allow businesses to use both public and private clouds to enhance efficiency, meet regulatory requirements and place compute resources closest to their customers. Using multiple cloud providers allows them to choose the best provider for each specific workload. This helps ensure business continuity and prevents vendor lock-in. Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies also give businesses a competitive advantage by enabling them to innovate and adapt quickly to market changes.
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Published December 2024
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Trend 2
Cloud-native modernization
Businesses are increasingly adopting cloud-native modernization solutions to stay competitive and meet the demands of modern consumers. This practice involves creating applications that are specifically designed to run in cloud environments.
"Cloud-native modernization involves creating a more resilient and flexible architecture to take advantage of the elasticity offered," said Parris. "Examples of this include platform-as-a-service (PaaS), serverless computing and serverless technologies encompassing both compute and data. Because cloud infrastructure is designed to be transient, resources can be spun up and down rapidly, enabling businesses to bring new features and products to market faster."
Additionally, the modular nature of cloud-native applications gives teams the agility necessary to experiment and innovate. This agility allows businesses to quickly scale and adapt to market changes without affecting the entire system.
Trend 3
Edge and fog computing
While traditional cloud computing relies on centralized data centers, edge and fog computing brings computation and storage closer to the data source. Because these models minimize the amount of data that needs to be sent to the cloud, businesses benefit from reduced costs, faster processing, better bandwidth and enhanced user experiences.
Edge and fog computing solutions are particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time processing and low latency, such as autonomous systems and customer-facing applications. The proliferation of 5G networks and internet of things (IoT) devices is further accelerating the adoption of edge and fog computing.
Trend 4
Digital twins
Trend 5 Industry-specific cloud solutions
Industry-specific cloud solutions offer tailored services through specialized tools, compliance features and workflows that are designed to meet the unique needs and strict regulatory requirements of each industry. These tailored solutions provide industry-specific functionalities that other cloud services might lack, such as built-in compliance features and integrated collaboration tools.
Industry-specific cloud solutions are already available for several sectors, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. This trend is expected to expand, with Gartner reporting that by 2027 more than 50% of enterprises are expected to adopt industry cloud platforms to accelerate business initiatives.
Trend 6 Sustainability and green cloud
Companies like Microsoft and Google are leading the way in green cloud computing, making commitments to achieve carbon neutrality. Facing increasing pressure from the public and regulatory agencies to reduce environmental impacts and adopt sustainable practices, green cloud is expected to become a standard practice for businesses and cloud providers alike.
Green cloud initiatives include:
Creating optimized data centers that reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient hardware, advanced cooling systems and power management techniques
Running multiple virtual machines on fewer physical servers to maximize resource utilization
Incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to power data centers
Implementing measures to offset carbon emissions, such as purchasing carbon credits or investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gases
Developing code that requires less computational power to run efficiently
Minimizing electronic waste by properly disposing or recycling outdated and obsolete hardware
By investing in renewable energy sources, energy-efficient data centers and carbon-neutral cloud services, businesses can minimize the environmental impact of their enterprise cloud systems, helping them meet their sustainability goals.
Trend 7 Enhanced security measures
The increased use of cloud-based services to store and process business data has garnered the attention of malicious attackers. With data breaches, phishing attacks, malware and ransomware on the rise, concerns about the privacy and safety of confidential and personal data are a critical challenge businesses must address.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated and data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) become stricter, businesses must implement enhanced security measures to protect their data and operations.
Enhanced security measures for cloud environments include:
Zero trust architecture This model dictates that all entities, whether inside or outside the network, are not trusted by default. Every access request must be authenticated, and continuous monitoring is implemented to ensure security.
Encryption Ensures data remains confidential and secure as it moves to, from and within the cloud. Various models exist, including encryption in transit, encryption at rest and end-to-end encryption.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) tools that ensure only authorized users can access sensitive data.
Security information and event management (SIEM) Systems that collect and analyze security data from various sources to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
Cloud security posture management (CSPM) Tools that help prevent vulnerabilities in cloud environments through continuous monitoring for misconfigurations and compliance issues.
Blockchain A data management framework that uses decentralization, immutability, cryptographic security, consensus algorithms and transparency to secure transactions and data within a ledger across multiple computers.
By implementing these enhanced security measures, businesses can better protect their cloud environments, ensuring data integrity, compliance and overall security.
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Digital twins are set to revolutionize various industries as businesses continue to advance their digital transformation strategies. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical system, object or process. The digital model receives real-time data from sensors and IoT devices connected to its physical counterpart. Digital twins are being used in various applications, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and smart cities.
Companies using digital twins benefit from improved efficiency and enhanced innovation capabilities. Using real-time data, businesses can continuously monitor, analyze and optimize the physical counterpart. Digital twins enable businesses to use virtual testing and prototyping to identify potential areas of improvement and optimize operations through simulations that provide performance insights. They also improve collaboration across teams and locations by providing a shared, real-time model of assets and processes.
At Kforce, we are frequently asked to assess problematic CMS installations for our clients. We often discover CMS platforms that are modern and capable but poorly implemented for real-world use. If you determine your existing CMS is not meeting your business needs, we recommend first evaluating whether the issue is the CMS platform itself or the way it was implemented. It may be possible to adjust your existing CMS platform to maximize its value.
If your organization is currently inhibited by an antiquated CMS, there are many benefits of migrating to a modern platform. Leaders who make this investment can expect to see the efficiency of their marketing teams improve as they unlock new capabilities, such as personalization and analytics. But undertaking this large-scale change could severely impact customers and employees if not properly prepared for and managed, said Justin Bell, Kforce's executive design director.
If your company is putting time and energy into this investment, here are seven challenges to anticipate, along with advice from our Kforce Consulting Solutions experts on how to address them—or avoid them completely.
2026 cloud computing market forecast
$947.3 billion
GLOBAL CLOUD COMPUTING MARKET
COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE THROUGH 2026
16.3% CAGR
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source: mARKETSANDMARKETS
GEOFF PARRIS, CLOUD PRACTICE LEADER KFORCE CONSULTING SOLUTIONS
Businesses shouldn't adopt cloud technologies just for the sake of following the latest trends. The true value of cloud lies in its ability to enable business outcomes in a cost-effective and scalable way. While some trends may not apply to your business, a comprehensive cloud strategy will likely involve combining several of these solutions to maximize benefits.
Trend 8 Quantum-enhanced AI cloud
Quantum-enhanced AI cloud combines the power of quantum computing with artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. Its ability to provide unprecedented computational power and advanced AI capabilities make it a crucial trend for businesses looking to innovate and remain competitive.
Early adopters of quantum-enhanced AI cloud include major tech companies such as Microsoft, Google and IBM. These companies are investing heavily in developing cloud-based quantum computing platforms.
Because quantum-enhanced AI can offer more accurate models and faster training times, it is particularly beneficial to industries that rely on large-scale data analysis and real-time decision-making.
Industry-specific applications of quantum-enhanced AI include:
Finance optimize trading strategies, risk management and fraud detection
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare improve diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans and accelerate drug discovery
Manufacturing optimize supply chains, improve quality control and enhance predictive maintenance
Quantum-enhanced AI cloud computing makes quantum models more accessible to businesses, allowing companies to experiment and implement algorithms into their workflows without investing in expensive hardware.
Trend 9 Global connectivity
Global connectivity in cloud computing is essential for businesses aiming to operate seamlessly on a global scale. It enhances remote work capabilities, improves customer experiences, ensures business continuity and helps businesses meet the varying data privacy and security regulations of different markets.
Providing consistent and reliable high-speed access to data and applications from anywhere in the world requires cloud providers to focus on distributed data centers, network optimization and interoperability. These capabilities are particularly important in driving business and innovation in industries such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce and media and entertainment.
In this article, we'll explore the top cloud computing trends in 2025, including industry-specific cloud solutions, green cloud, quantum-enhanced AI cloud and more. It is imperative for business leaders to stay ahead of these trends, seizing opportunities to innovate, differentiate and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the cloud.
Trend 7: Enhanced security measures
The increased use of cloud-based services to store and process business data has garnered the attention of malicious attackers. With data breaches, phishing attacks, malware and ransomware on the rise, concerns about the privacy and safety of confidential and personal data are a critical challenge businesses must address.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated and data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) become stricter, businesses must implement enhanced security measures to protect their data and operations.
Enhanced security measures for cloud environments include:
Zero trust architecture: This model dictates that all entities, whether inside or outside the network, are not trusted by default. Every access request must be authenticated, and continuous monitoring is implemented to ensure security.
Encryption: Ensures data remains confidential and secure as it moves to, from and within the cloud. Various models exist, including encryption in transit, encryption at rest and end-to-end encryption.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) tools that ensure only authorized users can access sensitive data.
Security information and event management (SIEM): Systems that collect and analyze security data from various sources to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
Cloud security posture management (CSPM): Tools that help prevent vulnerabilities in cloud environments through continuous monitoring for misconfigurations and compliance issues.
Blockchain: A data management framework that uses decentralization, immutability, cryptographic security, consensus algorithms and transparency to secure transactions and data within a ledger across multiple computers.
By implementing these enhanced security measures, businesses can better protect their cloud environments, ensuring data integrity, compliance and overall security.
Trend 4: Digital twins
Digital twins are set to revolutionize various industries as businesses continue to advance their digital transformation strategies. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical system, object or process. The digital model receives real-time data from sensors and IoT devices connected to its physical counterpart. Digital twins are being used in various applications, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and smart cities.
Companies using digital twins benefit from improved efficiency and enhanced innovation capabilities. Using real-time data, businesses can continuously monitor, analyze and optimize the physical counterpart. Digital twins enable businesses to use virtual testing and prototyping to identify potential areas of improvement and optimize operations through simulations that provide performance insights. They also improve collaboration across teams and locations by providing a shared, real-time model of assets and processes.
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