In a digital landscape defined by constant innovation and sprawling infrastructure, mastering multicloud networking has become not just a necessity, but a competitive advantage. Let’s explore key findings from new research, dissected common pitfalls, and shared actionable insights to help organizations succeed in their hybrid multicloud journeys.
Why Go Multicloud?
While the shift to the cloud is nothing new, the move from single-cloud to multicloud deployments represents a major architectural evolution. The analyst company EMA (Enterprise Management Associates) has recently done research on that very topic, and the following picture emerges from the data:
The top technical driver for multicloud adoption is the digitalization of operational technology (OT). Cloud resources placed closer to industrial edge environments reduce latency and enhance control, especially critical in areas like manufacturing and logistics.
AI is also a major force behind this shift. Dynamic workloads demand elasticity and proximity to data, pushing organizations to tap into different clouds for specific capabilities, be it for training models or running inference engines.
Additional business drivers include: Flexibility and scalability (52% of respondents), Cost optimization by arbitraging between cloud providers, User experience optimization through edge-proximate resources and Accelerated innovation, often powered by cloud-native DevOps practices.
The Harsh Reality: Most Organizations Are Struggling
Despite the clear advantages, hybrid multicloud networking is still a major challenge. Only 25% of survey respondents said their multicloud networking strategy was “completely successful.” This sobering statistic sets the stage for deeper exploration into why success is so elusive.
The top business pain points include: (1) Security risks due to inconsistent policies and fragmented visibility, (2) Budget challenges stemming from the shift to OpEx models and (3) Performance issues linked to immature cloud networking tools.
On the technical front, respondents reported fragmented IP address management, DNS/DHCP sprawl, and significant difficulties in deploying end-to-end security and data services consistently across environments.
What the Winners Do Differently: Best Practices From the 25%
What sets the most successful organizations apart? – Here are four best practices drawn from their strategies:
1. Build Strong Partnerships Between Network and Cloud TeamsOnly 37% of organizations said their networking teams collaborate effectively with cloud teams. However, those that do collaborate are 5x more likely to report complete success.
Successful partnerships emphasize: (1) Shared security policy management, (2) Integrated automation and observability and (3) Joint incident response and troubleshooting
2. Centralize Core Networking ServicesCentralized control over DNS, DHCP, and IP address space emerged as another strong success marker. Respondents who prioritized centralization across cloud providers and on-prem environments reported better performance and fewer outages.
3. Establish a Cloud Networking “Source of Truth”A robust source of truth (i.e. combining authoritative data from IPAM, CMDBs, controllers, and DCIM tools) serves as the backbone of cloud networking automation and security. Only 27% of respondents had a comprehensive system, but those who did enjoyed significantly improved: (1) Data quality, (2) Visibility, (3) Automation potential, (4) Security posture
4. Integrate Branch-to-Cloud ConnectivityToday’s network edge matters just as much as core connectivity. With more services being accessed directly from branch offices, traditional hub-and-spoke architectures can’t keep up. That’s why 31% of organizations consider SD-WAN or SASE essential to their multicloud strategy.
SD-WAN enables: (1) Optimal routing from branches to cloud providers, (2) Enhanced quality of experience and (3) Visibility into site-to-cloud paths
The Benefits: Operational and Strategic WinsThose who successfully implement these best practices don’t just stabilize their environments, rather: they unlock real business value. Surveyed organizations reported benefits like: (1) Operational efficiency through automation and visibility, (2) Cost optimization by eliminating redundancies and underutilized resources, (3) Risk reduction from fewer security incidents and (4) Faster innovation due to improved infrastructure agility
Final Takeaways: Charting a Path ForwardThe multicloud future is here, but only a quarter of enterprises are thriving in it. What sets them apart is not just technology, but how they strategize, organize, and automate their networks.
Here’s how to start mastering multicloud:
As hybrid architectures grow more complex, organizations that treat networking as a strategic function will lead the next wave of cloud transformation.
I do highly recommend the EMA research report, which can be requested at:
EMA Survey: Navigating Hybrid Multi-Cloud Complexity in 2025
