Multi-cloud strategies are no longer optional. Organizations are balancing innovation, compliance, and resilience through smart architecture and multi-cloud approaches
Organizations are increasingly turning to multi-cloud strategies to drive agility, innovation and resilience. No longer confined to a single cloud vendor, enterprises now harness the strengths of multiple cloud platforms to fulfil different strategic objectives. For instance, AWS could be utilized for scale, Azure for enterprise integration, Google Cloud for AI, and even regional providers for data localization.
The multi-cloud model has emerged as a business imperative—driven by the need to avoid vendor lock-in, meet compliance requirements across geographies and optimize workloads for cost and performance. Recent studies indicate a significant shift towards hybrid and multi-cloud strategies among enterprises.
“Whether government or private, every organization faces the same cloud dilemma—compliance, scalability, flexibility, and cost. The key lies in mixing and matching local and global providers to meet evolving regulatory demands while ensuring business continuity. Local cloud players bring proximity, responsiveness, and cost efficiency, while global ones offer scale. True cloud success comes from making smart, compliant choices tailored to your industry’s needs.
Dr. Samer Marouf, IT Director at Rakaa Holding
According to the Flexera 2024 State of the Cloud Report, 89% of organizations have adopted a multi-cloud strategy, indicating its widespread acceptance. Additionally, the Nutanix 6th Annual Financial Services Enterprise Cloud Index report projects that hybrid multicloud adoption in the financial services and insurance sectors will increase nearly fourfold over the next three years, establishing it as the primary IT model. These findings underscore the mainstream adoption and growing reliance on multi-cloud environments across various industries.
But with opportunity comes complexity. As businesses spread workloads across diverse environments, they face mounting challenges in governance, security, interoperability, and visibility. The shift calls for smarter architectures, unified management, and zero trust frameworks—powered by automation and AI.
Enterprise ITWorld assembled a powerhouse panel of industry experts to debate the various aspects of multi-cloud adoption. This panel experts explore the market forces shaping this trend, the technology enablers making it possible, and the strategic choices organizations must make to thrive in a multi-cloud world.
“When it comes to critical infrastructure, cloud strategy isn’t just about technology—it’s about orchestrating enterprise-wide transformation. From operational sensors to business applications, every layer of modernization demands a well-aligned architecture. A successful multi-cloud approach hinges on data governance, risk mitigation, and stakeholder readiness across the board. It is strategic evolution, deeply rooted in enterprise architecture and driven by the realities of OT-IT convergence.”
Kumar Prasoon, CIO, Twyn
It included industry practitioners, policy makers and consultants such as Suhail Akhtar, Senior IT and Digital Transformation Leader; Kumar Prasoon, CIO, Twyn; Dr. Samer Marouf, IT Director at Rakaa Holding; Syed Fakruddin Albeez, Head of Technology at King Abdullah Economic City: Waqas Butt, Director of IT Strategy and Consultancy Services at Alwefaq Transportation Solutions.
The New Era of Digital Infrastructure
The modernization of critical infrastructure is becoming a strategic imperative in today’s digital transformation landscape. But this isn’t just about migrating systems to the cloud. It’s about bridging two historically separate worlds: Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT). In sectors such as utilities, oil and gas, transportation, and government services, this integration brings unique challenges as sensors, legacy systems, compliance requirements, and mission-critical operations all come into play. And so, cloud transformation in these contexts demands more than technical skill—it calls for deep enterprise-wide alignment and a rethinking of how digital ecosystems should be designed.
“Multi-cloud adoption in regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE isn’t just a matter of technology but a delicate balance of compliance, security, and strategic alignment. With stringent frameworks like NCA, TDRA, and Vision 2030 mandates, organizations must build hybrid infrastructures that respect local data residency laws while integrating global cloud providers. It’s not just about scale but making cloud investments that align with both national priorities and international standards.”
Waqas Butt, Director of IT Strategy and Consultancy Services, Alwefaq Transportation Solutions
Enterprise Architecture: The Keystone of Multi-Cloud Strategy
This was the central theme explored by speakers of the panel. At the heart of the conversation was the need for strong enterprise architecture as the foundation for a multi-cloud strategy. Without it, organizations risk losing track of their data flow, spending, and security posture across sprawling cloud environments.
Speakers emphasized that Enterprise Architecture Organization Transformation (EAOT) is not just a best practice—it’s crucial. It serves to bring together business goals, IT infrastructure, data, and applications under one cohesive vision. EAOT acts as a compass, guiding organizations through the complexities of modernization while ensuring alignment across functions.
The Regional Lens: Saudi Arabia and UAE’s Unique Cloud Journey
In regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this conversation is even more nuanced. Cloud adoption is accelerating, but in an environment of strict regulatory and compliance mandates. Speakers pointed out that even though global cloud providers are entering these markets, yet local regulations around data residency and security (like PDPL, NCA, and TDRA) require companies to embrace hybrid cloud models.
“Cloud isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey—it’s a layered landscape of services, from infrastructure to data and function-as-a-service. Often, cloud decisions aren’t made by choice but by necessity—driven by where the product is hosted, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity mandates. Especially in regions with strict data residency rules like Saudi Arabia, organizations must balance business needs with compliance, scalability, and vendor lock-in risks.”
Syed Fakruddin Albeez, Head of Technology at King Abdullah Economic City
It’s not uncommon to find that mission-critical data are stored on-premise while applications scale on public cloud infrastructure. This hybrid approach is more than just a workaround—it’s a strategic necessity. Compliance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s an architectural driver.
Under initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025, there’s a significant push to localize data, implement responsible AI, and ensure cybersecurity at national scale. Organizations are rethinking how they classify, transfer, and secure data. Techniques such as tokenization, data segmentation, and selective encryption have become essential tools for enabling safe, compliant cross-border data flows.
Debunking Myths: Common Misconceptions in Multi-Cloud
But the road to multi-cloud maturity is not without myths and misunderstandings. One common belief is that partnering with a single cloud vendor simplifies operations. In truth, this can lead to over-reliance and risks like vendor lock-in, inflexible pricing, or limited service capabilities.
Others assume that their cloud vendor’s support teams will handle everything—yet as speakers pointed out, performance varies widely, and companies must stay vigilant. There is no substitute for in-house knowledge and proactive vendor management.
“The excitement around multi-cloud isn’t just about technology; it’s about witnessing a shift we never imagined. When global hyperscalers like Microsoft, AWS, and Google bring their data centers to the Kingdom, it changes the game. What once felt distant is now within arm’s reach. Multi-cloud is no longer a future concept—it’s the new reality, driven by accessibility, innovation, and the unique needs of industries across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.”
Suhail Akhtar, Senior IT and Digital Leader
Navigating Complexity: Challenges in Multi-Cloud Adoption
Then there are the technical and operational challenges. From managing data across multiple platforms and standards to ensuring disaster recovery and business continuity, organizations face a labyrinth of decisions. Integration between platforms, managing costs, and maintaining governance across distributed environments are all significant hurdles.
But with the right leadership, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies, these challenges can be addressed. Speakers underscored the importance of integrated business continuity plans, legal safeguards in cloud contracts, and the adoption of Zero Trust security models—especially in public sector and regulated industries where compliance is non-negotiable.
The Rising Role of MSSPs and AI-Driven Security
Security, in fact, was a central theme throughout the discussion. With growing cyber threats and compliance obligations, many companies are turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) for help. MSSPs bring not only technical expertise but also cultural and regulatory insight.
They help design cloud-native defenses, implement continuous authentication, and monitor threats using AI-powered tools. These partnerships are especially crucial for organizations operating in hybrid environments, where the risk landscape is constantly shifting.
Rethinking Shadow IT: From Risk to Strategic Advantage
Perhaps the most surprising insight came around the topic of shadow IT. Traditionally seen as a risk, shadow IT is now being reframed as a strategic enabler—if governed properly. In hybrid cloud setups, it can allow teams to innovate faster while sensitive data remains protected.
This decentralization, when paired with smart oversight and robust policies, can boost agility, support workforce optimization, and even open new pathways for reskilling. Shadow IT, when embraced strategically, becomes a tool for transformation rather than a liability.
Tailoring the Journey: No One-Size-Fits-All Strategy
Ultimately, the message from the panel was clear: there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Every organization must craft a cloud roadmap that reflects its unique needs, compliance landscape, and business ambitions.
Whether the goal is resilience, scale, innovation, or all three, success in the multi-cloud era will come from a blend of vision, regulation-aware design, and unwavering leadership. This is a journey of not just infrastructure—but of mindset, policy, and enterprise transformation.
