Top focus areas for cloud computing in 2025

Cloud computing was again a key enabler of digital transformation and innovation in 2024. Driven by strong global demand to establish resilient foundations for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and other data-centric solutions, we expect cloud's rapid growth and evolution to persist in 2025.

While most organizations today have a cloud presence, more are gravitating toward hybrid cloud deployment models and multicloud strategies. These approaches blend the infrastructure, software and services of different public cloud providers, manufacturers, independent software vendors (ISVs) and partners — all in an effort to balance organizational needs in response to today's fast-changing technology landscape.

Here are WWT's recommended cloud priorities for 2025.

2025 cloud priorities

Cloud Operating Model (COM): Revisit your organization's cloud strategy and reevaluate your cloud operating frameworks and support structures in terms of security, policy, governance and financial performance. Doing so will set you on a path to architectural excellence and operational maturity.
Cloud data security, access and governance: Ensure the integrity and availability of your organizational data while optimizing costs and ratcheting up security in the face of exponential growth in data volumes, attack surfaces, threat vectors and threat actors.
Harness the power of intelligent cloud infrastructure and services for AI: Rapidly deploy and scale innovative AI solutions and capabilities that drive business outcomes by taking advantage of the on-demand and elastic characteristics inherent to cloud.
Look ahead to new modernization opportunities enabled by automation and GenAI: Modernizing legacy applications is about to become much less daunting thanks to modern automation tooling and code generators enabled by generative AI (GenAI).

Cloud continues to be a critical enabler of digital transformation, particularly as AI, ML and data-centric workloads demand scalable, secure environments. While most organizations have adopted some form of cloud, achieving real business value in 2025 depends on modernizing the cloud operating model, strengthening cloud data security, evolving cloud infrastructure and embracing AI transformation.

Here are WWT's top cloud priorities to focus on this year:

Priority #1: Rethink your cloud operating model

Many enterprises are still operating with traditional models that hinder agility and growth. A modernized cloud operating model (COM) aligns IT with business strategy, strengthens governance and optimizes financial oversight.

Our key focus areas include aligning cloud operations with business goals; evaluating security, policy and compliance integrations; improving financial accountability and cost forecasting; and review scalability, automation and hybrid cloud readiness.

Risks of inaction include misaligned investments and stalled innovation; plus, cloud sprawl, rising costs and inefficient resource use.

Recommended next step: Partner with WWT to assess and evolve your COM. This lays the foundation for resilient, scalable and cost-effective operations.

Success metrics:

Higher resource utilization
Shorter delivery timelines
Increased service quality and end-user satisfaction

Priority #2: Strengthen cloud data security and governance

With data volumes and threat vectors growing, cloud data security must be a top priority. Organizations face rising risks if they fail to secure sensitive assets across cloud environments.

Action items include:

Build a cloud-aligned data strategy
Define strong data governance frameworks
Implement visibility, access controls and encryption
Accelerate patching and reduce misconfigurations
Adopt zero trust and least-privileged access

Top risks include data breaches and compliance failures; plus, operational disruptions and loss of customer trust.

Explore WWT's cloud security services to stay ahead of evolving regulations and attacks: see Cloud Security & Governance

Success indicators:

Fewer incidents and faster remediation
Reliable compliance with regulations
Improved encryption, data access and recovery metrics

Priority #3: Power AI with intelligent cloud infrastructure

AI transformation depends on agile, scalable cloud infrastructure. Organizations moving beyond AI pilots will benefit from cloud-based tools and services that support high-performance workloads.

Cloud advantages for AI:

Rapid deployment and elastic compute
Pay-as-you-go scalability to manage cost
Access to composable services from multiple providers
Energy-efficient infrastructure supporting ESG goals

What to do next: Define an actionable AI strategy, secure cloud-based architecture for AI workloads, and align your cloud, data and AI roadmaps. Then explore the AI Proving Ground to test your infrastructure readiness and prepare for scalable enterprise AI.

Track success through:

AI model performance
Cloud resource optimization
Business impact KPIs like cost savings or customer satisfaction

Priority #4: Modernize with automation and GenAI

Legacy systems hinder transformation. Automation and GenAI now make it faster and more practical to modernize applications and shift workloads to cloud-native architectures.

WWT's automated modernization approach includes refactoring legacy code into modular, cloud-ready architecture; leveraging GenAI code generation tool; and accelerating timelines from years to months.

Start with: Legacy Application Modernization Services

Business benefits include:

Reduced technical debt and lower operational costs
Greater developer productivity and faster release cycles
Better performance and resilience

Frequently asked questions

Q: What's the first step toward modernizing cloud strategy?
A: Begin with a COM review to align cloud with business goals and governance. It's the backbone of any successful cloud transformation.

Q: Why is cloud data security so critical in 2025?
A: AI, remote work and multicloud expansion increase the attack surface. Security must evolve with it.

Q: How can cloud infrastructure support scalable AI?
A: It enables elastic compute, advanced tooling and faster experimentation, driving faster innovation at lower cost.

Q: How does GenAI simplify modernization?
A: It can refactor code, accelerate delivery and reduce reliance on legacy skills — ideal for transforming business-critical apps.

Take the next step

Organizations that prioritize cloud infrastructure, data security, operating models and AI readiness will lead in 2025. Start your journey today:

Explore WWT's full cloud services portfolio.
Join a cloud strategy briefing.
Upskill your team with hands-on labs.

Read on to learn more about each priority, including the risks of inaction and our recommendations for measuring success.