Why Cloud-First Isn’t Always the Best Fit: Rethinking Access Management in 2025

Cloud adoption isn’t slowing down, but for many businesses, cloud-first has become cloud-wise. Rising costs, outages, and data sovereignty concerns are leading IT leaders to reassess. This is where hybrid and on-premise access management systems enter the space.

We want to highlight why flexibility matters more than ever, and how our Hybrid Access Management solution can help.

Has Cloud Lost Its Shine?

In the past decade, cloud computing reshaped the way businesses run IT. From email and CRM to Identity and Access Management (IAM), the cloud brought speed, scalability, and convenience. But today, many organisations are hitting pause.

Recent insights from our industry survey revealed growing discomfort with cloud-only models. Why?

• Unpredictable costs
• Security and control concerns
• Regulatory pressure over data location

As one CISO put it:

“Two reasons: cost and resilience. We have no intention of moving key systems into the cloud.”

That shift in thinking is becoming widespread. Gain deeper insights into Access Management and its rising significance in our brochure.

When Cloud Isn’t the Right Fit

While cloud services still offer immense value, they’re no longer the assumed default for every workload. Here’s why some technologies are staying firmly on-premise:

• ERP and CRM platforms – They both hold critical operational data.
• Contract and legal datasets – Data sovereignty risks are too high.
• IAM systems – These underpin your entire security framework.

As one IT leader shared:

“ERP, CRM and contract data will not be transferred into the cloud. Too many risks, too little control.”

Find out why on-premise Access Management is making a comeback.

The Compliance Crunch: Data Sovereignty Takes the Lead

GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and international tensions have made data location a business-critical decision.

One respondent noted:

“I always want to know where the data is and who is responsible for it.”

Public cloud vendors often store data across regions and rely on shared responsibility models. That’s a risk many regulated industries, and even governments, are not willing to take. Just ask the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which is shifting away from the public cloud altogether.

Need to comply with strict data residency rules? See how we can help.

Why Hybrid Access is the New Standard

Instead of going all-in on cloud or sticking with legacy infrastructure, many organisations are choosing both. Did you know hybrid access models give you options for:

• Cloud scalability where it makes sense
• On-premise control for sensitive data
• Regulatory confidence and business continuity

But not every vendor allows you that flexibility. We have built hybrid access management from the ground up, so you don’t have to compromise.

Want to see how our hybrid access management solution works in practice? Request your free demo today and explore what flexible IAM really looks like.

From Cloud-First to Cloud-Wise: What’s Next?

The future of IT isn’t about being anti-cloud, it’s about being intentional.

Is it time to ask yourself:

• What workloads truly benefit from the cloud?
• Where do you need more visibility and control?
• Are your current systems ready for evolving compliance demands?

Access management is too important to leave to chance. It’s time to move from cloud-first to cloud-smart.

Why Hybrid Access Management is Different

Our platform is designed for flexibility, control, and compliance:

• Deploy your Access Management on-premise, in the cloud, or both
• Scale without sacrificing security
• Comply with international data regulations
• Stay in control even during service disruptions

Whether you’re migrating, modernising, or reassessing your IAM strategy, we’re here to help you take the best path forward.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

If you are looking to:

• Reduce cloud costs
• Protect sensitive systems
• Comply with regional laws
• Modernise without losing control

We can help you build an access strategy that fits your business, not just the latest trend. Talk to our experts today and take control of your access future.

See hybrid Access Management in action.

Discover how our solution can reduce cloud costs, protect sensitive systems, and help you stay compliant. Request your free 30 day demo now.

Published: 10 June 2025

Category: Industry Research

AM / Cloud / Compliance / Data Security Awareness / On-premise / On-premise