Cloud adoption promises agility and scalability, but managing cloud environments effectively requires a different and typically diverse range of expertise. Many organizations underestimate the complexities involved, assuming a single “cloud expert” can handle it all. In reality, managing the cloud demands multiple disciplines, making it one of the most challenging areas to staff and sustain.
THE SCARCITY OF SKILLED CLOUD TALENT
Finding seasoned professionals with deep cloud expertise is a growing challenge. With more enterprises seeking to optimize their use of cloud resources, there’s a lot of competition for IT experts with experience architecting and maintaining cloud environments.
A Pluralsight report found that 75% of technology leaders are focused on building all new products and features in the cloud moving forward but a mere 8% of practitioners have deep experience working with cloud-related tools..
THE HIDDEN RISKS OF INCOMPLETE EVALUATIONS
While experienced VMware or traditional infrastructure administrators are more common, cloud professionals often work as consultants rather than in-house staff. This reliance on external expertise can create some key bottlenecks and other issues.
Working with outside vendors may lead to increased costs. Consultants typically command premium rates, adding to the overall expense of cloud management. Last-minute requests for support to help resolve problems, respond to security incidents, or deal with other unplanned events only add to the expense.
Using external partners has the potential to result in long-term dependencies on outside help. Unfortunately, overreliance on consultants can hinder an organization’s ability to develop and retain internal expertise. The longer this cycle continues, the more difficult it is move away from the status quo and build the necessary skills in-house.
The loss of a vendor relationship could hinder agility and limit the options for moving forward. When consultants leave, organizations may struggle to maintain or evolve their cloud environments without clear documentation and knowledge transfer.
CLOUD EXPERTISE IS A TEAM EFFORT
A common misconception is that a single “cloud expert” can oversee an organization’s entire cloud strategy. In a recent survey from Nutanix, IT leaders cited data security, ransomware protection, and implementing AI strategies among their top priorities. The various skill sets needed to execute on those initiatives mirror the diversity of specialized disciplines involved in effective cloud management, including:
- Cloud Architecture: Designing scalable, secure, and cost-efficient cloud solutions.
- Security and Compliance: Ensuring cloud configurations meet stringent regulatory requirements and protect sensitive data.
- DevOps: Automating workflows, managing CI/CD pipelines, and optimizing performance.
- Cost Management: Monitoring and controlling expenses to avoid runaway cloud costs.
- Monitoring and Operations: Ensuring uptime, performance, and proactive troubleshooting.
- Data Management: Handling backups, recovery, and data residency requirements.
Building a team with these competencies takes time and investment. Moreover, maintaining this carefully curated talent pool is a continuous effort, especially when turnover leads to knowledge gaps.
THE COSTS OF MISMANAGING CLOUD TALENT
Organizations that fail to account for the breadth of skills required often experience significant challenges. They risk overspending their budgets as misconfigured resources and inefficient workflows drive up expenses. A lack of specialized security knowledge leaves businesses vulnerable to risks, from confidence-shaking data exposures to ransomware attacks that can halt operations for days, weeks, or longer. Operational inefficiencies add to the woes created by a fragile cloud talent strategy. Without the right expertise, troubleshooting and optimization become reactive rather than proactive. This strains remaining resources and further erodes the organization’s ability to pursue core technology initiatives.
BRIDGE THE TALENT GAP: BUILDING FOR THE LONG TERM
To mitigate these challenges, organizations should consider the following strategies:
- Invest in Internal Talent Development: Train existing staff on cloud technologies, certifications, and best practices to reduce reliance on external consultants.
- Adopt Clear Documentation Practices: Use tools like Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and detailed runbooks to ensure knowledge continuity.
- Leverage Managed Services: Partner with providers that offer specialized expertise to fill immediate gaps while your team grows.
- Embrace a Collaborative Approach: Recognize that cloud management is a team effort and plan staffing and hiring strategies accordingly.
PROTECT WHAT POWERS YOUR BUSINESS
At CyberNorth, we understand the critical role of talent in managing cloud environments effectively. Our team works with businesses to address immediate challenges while helping build long-term strategies for cloud success. By combining expert guidance with tailored solutions, we ensure your cloud investments align with your business goals.
Protect what powers your business with a partner who understands the complexities of the cloud. Contact CyberNorth today to learn how we can help bridge your talent gap, accelerate the cloud initiatives that matter most to you, and optimize your cloud strategy.
