In the past few years, data storage has moved from hardware to the cloud smoothly and rapidly.
And the latest storage virtualization trends hint at the fact that cloud storage will only get more sophisticated as we move forward.
As the world switched to remote working, organizations of all sizes turned to cloud storage as a flexible, secure, and cost-effective way to store their data.
Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that by 2025, the total global data storage will exceed 200 Zettabytes, out of which 100 Zettabytes of data will be stored in the cloud.
The storage virtualization service providers are gearing up to store this enormous amount of data in a secure and easily accessible manner.
The latest storage virtualization trends that I am discussing here are all hinting at some major changes in the data storage industry in the years to come.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 storage virtualization trends that you need to take note of this season.
5 Storage Virtualization Trends You Can Expect to See in 2023 and Beyond
There are plenty of storage virtualization trends brewing up that may disrupt the storage industry in a major way. I have handpicked 5 of them to give you a broader understanding of what to expect in 2023 and beyond.
Here are the top storage virtualization trends for you.
#Trend 1: Built-in Anti-Ransom Technology
Data security has become the top priority for cloud storage providers. Ransomware attacks are morphing into highly targeted and terribly damaging attacks.
A recent survey states that one out of three organizations faced a ransom attack that was made possible by an insider.
The above-mentioned Cybersecurity Ventures study states that the cost of global ransomware damage exceeded $20 billion in 2021.
Image via Cybersecurity Ventures
One of the biggest storage virtualization trends that are emerging in 2023 is the growth of anti-ransomware technology.
As businesses of all kinds including financial institutions, ecommerce platforms, and healthcare rely on cloud storage, enhanced data security has become vital.
We will see advancements in the early detection of such attacks as well as better ways of protecting your data and recovering lost data.
Cloud storage vendors are already working on improved encryption of files and using AI to detect even the slightest malicious activities.
At this speed, built-in ransomware will soon become a standard feature in storage virtualization.
#Trend 2: AI and Machine Learning are Reshaping Data Storage
AI and machine learning are revolutionary technologies.
While the data storage industry has been taking advantage of AI in limited capacities, now we are seeing AI and machine learning becoming mainstream in data storage.
It’s one of the biggest storage virtualization trends this year.
The speed at which we are producing data will push storage vendors to rely heavily on AI for storage automation and more efficient data management processes.
As storage systems become more intelligent to take proactive and automated actions, their reliance on humans will reduce to some extent.
Expect heightened application of automation for mundane tasks like obtaining, organizing, ingesting, and managing data with greater proficiency. It is one of the top storage virtualization trends to look out for.
#Trend 3: Edge Computing Takes Center Stage
We are literally on the edge when it comes to computing. “Edge” or “Edge Computing” along with 5G connectivity has opened doors for new possibilities in the digital world.
Industry experts believe that Edge will grow into one of the major storage virtualization trends in 2023. Statista estimates that the market share of Edge Computing will reach $274 billion by 2025.
Cloud storage providers are constantly working on reducing the response time between a server and the end user as shown in the figure below.
Image via Alibaba Cloud
Edge Computing is the way forward to allow users to access data in a quick, reliable, and economical manner.
You can be certain that edge-enabled solutions and services will take center stage in the coming years to deliver rich digital experiences across several industries. It’s one of the major storage virtualization trends to watch out for.
#Trend 4: Growing Preference for Multiple Clouds and Hybrids
This is one of the storage virtualization trends that continues to grow from 2021. Businesses of all sizes are migrating to cloud storage because it is simple, flexible, and economical.
But in the past couple of years, we are seeing enterprises opting for a hybrid model to avoid delays in response time and data security concerns. The hybrid cloud model offers on-the-go scalability which is the need of the hour for growing businesses.
For these same reasons, you can expect businesses to opt for multiple cloud solutions rather than sticking to one. While they will be in better control of how and where data gets stored, they can also enjoy enhanced security and agility.
#Trend 5: Proliferation of Containerization
Containerization is one of the most popular storage virtualization trends this year.
It is now possible to package an application and all its necessary components in isolated user space or containers which use the same shared OS.
What is the advantage? It enhances the performance of applications even when run on multiple computing environments.
Furthermore, containerization can significantly enhance the security and scalability of applications at a much lesser cost. Small businesses can greatly benefit from storage virtualization trends like these in their small business financial planning in better way.
Wrapping It Up
There you go, the top 5 storage virtualization trends that I feel business owners and marketers should watch out for.
These and a few other related storage visualization trends have already begun to revolutionize data storage and security.
If you already use cloud storage for your business or are planning to use it soon, spend some time to understand these trends at greater length and gear up to adapt to changing times. Get ready for the future of data storage.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gaurav Sharma is the founder and CEO of Attrock, a results-driven digital marketing company. Grew an agency from 5-figure to 7-figure revenue in just two years | 10X leads | 2.8X conversions | 300K organic monthly traffic. He also contributes to top publications like HuffPost, Adweek, Business 2 Community, TechCrunch, and more.
