courses.reviews logo
I launched a free website to help you find the best courses with reviews & discounts.
Up to date
Published
4 min read

Trevor I. Lasn

Staff Software Engineer, Engineering Manager

Cloudflare Study: 39% of Companies Losing Control of Their IT and Security Environment

New research reveals a shocking loss of control in corporate IT environments

A new Cloudflare study drops a bombshell: 39% of companies are losing grip on their IT and security environments. That’s nearly 4 out of 10 businesses navigating the digital realm without a clear map.

Gone are the days when a locked server room and a sturdy firewall were enough. Today’s IT landscape is a different animal entirely.

The study also reveals that IT and security teams are drowning in new responsibilities. We’re not just talking about a few extra tasks - we’re talking about a complete overhaul of their roles. Five years ago, many of these teams weren’t responsible for things like:

  • Ensuring security for remote and hybrid workers
  • Compliance with an ever-growing list of government regulations
  • Managing and securing applications in the public cloud

"Which of the following falls under the responsibility of the IT and security teams at your company?”

It’s like asking a chef to suddenly become a concert pianist while still cooking a five-course meal. Sure, they’re both in the service industry, but the skills are worlds apart.

The Complexity Crunch

The Cloudflare study doesn’t just highlight new responsibilities - it shines a spotlight on the skyrocketing complexity of everyday IT tasks. Let’s zoom in on a seemingly mundane aspect of office life: ensuring in-office connectivity.

Nearly half of the survey respondents reported that this basic function has become significantly more complex since 2020. It’s a startling revelation. Think about it - we’re not talking about cutting-edge tech or bleeding-edge security protocols. We’re talking about Bob from accounting being able to check his email.

So, what’s changed? Several factors are at play:

  • Hybrid work models: With employees toggling between home and office, networks must now seamlessly support a fluid workforce. It’s no longer just about bandwidth, but about creating consistent, secure experiences across locations.
  • Increased security threats: Every connection is now a potential vulnerability. IT teams must balance accessibility with robust security measures, turning simple network access into a complex dance of authentication and monitoring.
  • BYOD policies: The line between personal and work devices has blurred. Supporting a diverse ecosystem of devices, each with its own quirks and security implications, adds layers of complexity.
  • Cloud-based applications: With more business-critical apps living in the cloud, ensuring reliable, fast connections isn’t just about internal networks anymore. It’s about managing the entire data journey, from user to cloud and back.
  • Compliance requirements: Data protection regulations have teeth now. Even something as simple as an employee logging in might involve navigating a minefield of compliance issues.

"IT And Security Team Responsibilities Increases Over The Last Five Years"

This complexity creep isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a fundamental shift in how IT operates. Tasks that once ran on autopilot now require constant attention and expertise. It’s as if the rules of gravity have changed, and IT teams are learning to walk all over again.

The result? A drain on resources, increased potential for errors, and a perpetual game of catch-up. What used to be the equivalent of changing a light bulb has become more akin to rewiring an entire city’s electrical grid - while it’s still running.

In this new reality, the role of IT has evolved from maintainer to innovator, problem-solver, and sometimes, digital magician. They’re not just keeping the lights on anymore - they’re building a whole new power plant while the demand for electricity is surging.

This complexity crunch isn’t just a phase - it’s the new normal. And it’s forcing companies to rethink not just their IT strategies, but their entire approach to digital infrastructure.

So, what’s the solution? The study dangles a tantalizing possibility: a “connectivity cloud.” It sounds like tech nirvana – a unified, secure, all-seeing eye in the digital chaos. And businesses are ready to throw money at it, to the tune of 16% of their IT budgets.

But here’s my take: There’s no magic wand in tech. The real solution starts with facing the music. We’re in uncharted waters, and the old maps don’t work anymore. Facing the music means:

  • Acknowledging complexity: We need to accept that simplicity in IT is a thing of the past. The interconnected nature of our systems means every solution will have ripple effects.
  • Continuous learning: The pace of change means that expertise has an expiration date. We need to foster a culture of constant upskilling and adaptation.

Found this article helpful? You might enjoy my free newsletter. I share dev tips and insights to help you grow your coding skills and advance your tech career.

Interested in supporting this blog in exchange for a shoutout? Get in touch.


Liked this post?

Check out these related articles that might be useful for you. They cover similar topics and provide additional insights.

Tech
4 min read

Sentry's LLM Integration Makes Error Debugging Actually Smart

How Sentry.io is using Large Language Models to transform error debugging from mindless stack trace reading to intelligent problem-solving

Nov 24, 2024
Read article
Tech
8 min read

Apple's Secret Sauce: The Untold Stories Behind Its Success

Diving deep into the lesser-known factors that propelled Apple from a garage startup to a tech titan

Sep 30, 2024
Read article
Tech
5 min read

VoidZero: Threat or Catalyst for Open Source JavaScript Tooling?

When Evan You announced VoidZero, I'll admit - I got excited. And a little nervous.

Oct 15, 2024
Read article
Tech
12 min read

What Makes MrBeast So Successful?

A deep dive into the strategies, mindset, and team culture that have made MrBeast one of the most successful creators on YouTube

Sep 16, 2024
Read article
Tech
5 min read

Recursion Explained In Simple Terms

Understanding recursion through real examples - why functions call themselves and when to use them

Nov 22, 2024
Read article
Tech
3 min read

Tattoos Won't Break Your Tech Career

Building a tech career with a sword tattooed on my neck

Dec 10, 2024
Read article
Tech
5 min read

Cloudflare's AI Content Control: Savior or Threat to the Open Web?

How Cloudflare's new AI management tools could revolutionize content creation, potentially reshaping the internet landscape for both website owners and AI companies.

Sep 24, 2024
Read article
Tech
3 min read

Why Anthropic (Claude AI) Uses 'Member of Technical Staff' for All Engineers (Including Co-founders)

Inside Anthropic's unique approach to preventing talent poaching and maintaining organizational equality

Oct 23, 2024
Read article
Tech
4 min read

Chrome Is Beta Testing Built-In AI. Could This Kill a Lot of Startups?

The Power Play: Gemini Nano in Chrome

Aug 31, 2024
Read article

This article was originally published on https://www.trevorlasn.com/blog/39-percent-companies-losing-control-of-it-and-security. It was written by a human and polished using grammar tools for clarity.