Security should be a top priority for IT organizations as they move to hybrid cloud environments. According to the 2022 Thales Cloud Security Study, 35% of organizations experienced a cloud-based security incident or failed an audit in the past year. As enterprises shift workloads from private to public clouds, they face increased complexity in security management. To address this, organizations should focus on strong identity and access control, effective logging and monitoring, consistent encryption practices, and automated response mechanisms.

To manage cloud costs effectively, organizations should embrace FinOps, a discipline that promotes collaboration on data-driven spending decisions. A Flexera report indicates that IT professionals expect to increase cloud investment by nearly 50% but often exceed their budgets by an average of 23%, wasting about 30% of their cloud budgets. Establishing processes and technical capabilities to monitor and analyze costs across both public and private infrastructures is essential for optimizing cloud spending.

Employees play a crucial role in the success of hybrid cloud initiatives. A Wakefield Research survey found that 86% of respondents believe a shortage of qualified engineers will slow cloud projects. Organizations must ensure that their teams are well-versed in managing both private and public cloud infrastructures. Investing in training for current employees and hiring talent with expertise in both areas is essential to avoid silos and ensure a cohesive approach to cloud management.