At the heart of this transformation is data: its storage, security, and use. Here are our predictions of data storage trends that lay ahead:

• AI boom

  Anything to do with AI involves large amounts of data. Training effective AI models demands vast, high-quality datasets, underscoring the importance of robust, cost-efficient storage solutions. Expect demand to center around solutions that provide scalable, secure, and affordable cloud storage solutions to fuel AI innovation. Although not every AI innovation will see immediate success, cloud data storage will become even more critical for AI applications.

• Sustainability in technology

  Power consumption, particularly driven by high-performance computing hardware, is a growing concern as it contributes a significant percentage of the world’s total power usage. Those in the data center industry are grappling with this big problem all the more. We remain optimistic about the emergence of a new generation of energy-efficient storage technologies, such as solid-state storage based on flash memory, which will use even less power than rotating disks. These innovations promise a dramatic reduction in energy consumption — and this is aligned with ongoing efforts to create eco-friendly infrastructure.

• Cloud storage boom

  As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for cloud data storage is expected to surge. In 2025, organizations will look to re-examine their data retention strategies, opting to preserve datasets that would otherwise have been discarded. This trend will drive higher investments in cloud storage solutions. Hence, organizations will prioritize providers offering clear and competitive pricing models, as well as a strong focus on long-term data retention. Free egress and no charges for API calls will also become key differentiators, ensuring organizations get maximum value for their cloud storage budgets.

• Shifting budgeting perspectives

  Some players in the backup and data protection space are trying to tap into the budgets for security — as opposed to the budgets for backup and recovery — and are rebranding themselves as players in the security space. This may be appropriate, as there is also the aspect of preventing data theft. In the case of ransomware, that becomes a storage problem. From a data storage perspective, innovations such as hidden shadow copies and multi-user authentication will continue to evolve to provide an additional layer of cybersecurity. This year, more organizations will therefore be prioritizing data resilience and ensuring their operations can recover swiftly without management having to meet ransom demands.

• Backup and recovery evolution

  The intersection of data storage and cybersecurity is redefining the backup industry. Air-gapped solutions represent the future of backup strategies. The term “air gap” refers to the metaphorical ‘gap of air’ that separates the secure system from external networks. These solutions ensure data remains safe from unauthorized access or deletion, helping organizations meet the highest standards of data integrity and availability.