GlobalConnect highlights that cloud storage and digital transformation have been central topics for more than a decade. But what does the actual progress look like in the Nordics? A new survey from GlobalConnect shows that companies in the region are following different IT strategies — with a mix of cloud, data center and on-premises solutions being the most common approach.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to IT infrastructure,” says Anna Granö, Executive Vice President, B2B at GlobalConnect. “Our survey shows that companies choose different paths depending on their operational needs — some commit to large-scale cloud migration, while others use hybrid approaches to balance security, cost and flexibility. Whatever the strategy, having a robust and secure digital infrastructure that supports business needs today and in the future is essential.”
Different pace in the cloud journey — strategic choices shape progress
The survey, based on responses from 225 IT leaders in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, reveals that 76% of Norwegian companies have completed extensive cloud migrations. In Sweden and Denmark, the figure is just over 40%.
Norwegian companies tend to consolidate their IT environments with a smaller set of suppliers. In Sweden and Denmark, IT landscapes are more fragmented, with companies more often combining cloud and on-premises solutions.
Public sector leads — budget structure matters
The survey also shows that the public sector has advanced further with cloud implementation than the private sector. Twenty-three percent of IT leaders in the public sector report complete cloud migration, compared with 13% in the private sector.
“Public organizations often have more predictable IT budgets and clearer long-term strategies, which makes broad cloud investments easier to carry out. At the same time, the public sector faces specific requirements for security, data protection and regulatory compliance, so choosing cloud solutions often requires more careful analysis. Rather than relying solely on public cloud services, many public organizations combine different technologies to ensure both flexibility and control,”
says Anna Granö.
Three key factors for a successful IT strategy
For companies aiming to secure a resilient and flexible IT environment, GlobalConnect identifies three important actions:
- Define a clear strategy – Whether the goal is full cloud adoption or a hybrid model, the strategy must be anchored at executive level to ensure alignment and commitment.
- Reduce complexity and consolidate services – Too many vendors can make an IT environment hard to manage and introduce unnecessary security risks. Many organizations are reducing the number of providers to simplify management, strengthen security and lower costs.
- Prioritize security and control – Ensure both cloud and on-premises solutions meet security requirements, and establish clear plans for data protection and backups.
“Finding the right balance between cloud and on-premises solutions is critical to maximizing both security and business value,” concludes Anna Granö. “Our survey shows that companies across the Nordics take different approaches, but a well-considered blend of technologies often delivers the best results.”
Read the full report here: GlobalConnect IT Insights: Digital Infrastructure – Opportunities, barriers and drivers from the IT leader’s perspective
About the survey
The report is based on a survey conducted by Demoskop on behalf of GlobalConnect. In total, 225 IT and security leaders from Sweden, Norway and Denmark were interviewed in September 2024.
The survey covers the following themes:
Part 1: The current situation
- How do IT leaders view their overall IT infrastructure?
- How are cloud strategies evolving?
- Will outsourcing increase or decrease in the future?
- How resilient is cybersecurity?
Part 2: IT leaders’ challenges
- Insufficient conditions to reach organizational goals
- Problems in day-to-day operations
- Legacy systems