Innovation and Technology
5 Cloud Computing Mistakes That Could Cost You Big in 2025

Cloud computing has evolved from basic infrastructure into a powerful engine of business innovation. Today, it enables everything from AI-powered services and e-commerce to entirely new business models and customer experiences. Despite its growth, many organizations still fall into common traps—mistakes that can be costly both in terms of money and missed opportunity. This article outlines the five most critical cloud computing mistakes businesses must avoid in 2025 and how to navigate them.
Mistake 1: Failing to Approach Cloud Strategically
Why It Happens
Too many organizations treat the cloud as simply another IT infrastructure upgrade—a place to store data or run applications. This narrow focus limits its potential and reduces ROI.
What to Do Instead
Cloud should be viewed as a strategic business enabler. Organizations that have thrived in the cloud era—from startups to global giants—have used it to build entirely new services and reimagine customer experiences. Instead of just “lifting and shifting” legacy systems, re-evaluate business models and workflows through the lens of cloud scalability, agility, and innovation.
Key Takeaway
Embed cloud into overall business strategy. Align it with innovation, customer experience, automation, and speed-to-market goals.
Mistake 2: Overlooking Security Responsibilities
Why It Happens
Many businesses assume that cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are fully responsible for all aspects of security.
What to Do Instead
While providers do offer robust security frameworks, clients are responsible for securing their own data, configurations, and access controls. Missteps—such as misconfigurations or employee negligence—can lead to major vulnerabilities.
Real-World Example
A 2023 attack on Microsoft’s Azure platform revealed how hackers could exploit one compromised account to access others across separate organizations, highlighting shared infrastructure risks.
Key Takeaway
Adopt a security-first culture. Train teams to recognize phishing attacks, implement access controls, and use AI to monitor and prevent security breaches.
Mistake 3: Treating Cloud and AI as Separate Strategies
Why It Happens
Organizations often pursue cloud computing and AI as unrelated initiatives, leading to disjointed systems and missed opportunities.
What to Do Instead
Recognize the symbiotic relationship between cloud and AI. Cloud provides the computing power, data access, and scale that AI requires. AI, in turn, optimizes cloud usage and enhances services.
Industry Examples
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Netflix combines AI analytics with cloud to personalize streaming.
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Amazon leverages AI and cloud for dynamic e-commerce experiences.
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Pfizer accelerates drug discovery using AI on cloud-based platforms.
Key Takeaway
Develop a unified cloud-and-AI strategy. Integrate teams and tools to drive smarter, data-driven decision-making and innovation.
Mistake 4: Underestimating the Cost of AI Workloads in the Cloud
Why It Happens
AI services, especially training large models or running constant inference, require significant compute power—leading to unexpected and growing costs.
What to Do Instead
Monitor usage closely, establish usage limits, and forecast cloud spending with AI-specific budgeting. Choose scalable and cost-efficient infrastructure tailored to your AI needs.
Real-World Example
Stability AI, a startup known for its image generation tool Stable Diffusion, reportedly ran into financial strain due to excessive cloud costs.
Key Takeaway
Implement cost governance policies. Regularly audit AI resource use and adopt cost-efficient cloud services or hybrid models where appropriate.
Mistake 5: Getting Locked into One Cloud Provider
Why It Happens
Vendor-specific tools, contracts, and pricing can create long-term dependency—making it hard to switch or diversify when business needs change.
What to Do Instead
Pursue a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategy. Build systems that are cloud-agnostic, modular, and portable across different platforms.
Supporting Data
A Gartner survey found that 95% of businesses feel they are either locked in or would face difficulty changing providers.
Key Takeaway
Use abstraction layers, open-source platforms, and containerized architecture to retain flexibility and avoid lock-in.
Conclusion
Cloud computing remains one of the most powerful assets in the modern business toolkit—but only when approached strategically and managed with care. In 2025, the organizations that succeed will be those that:
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View cloud as a business enabler, not just infrastructure
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Build a culture of security across teams
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Align AI and cloud strategies from day one
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Monitor and manage AI-related cloud costs
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Maintain flexibility with multi-cloud and vendor-neutral tools
Avoiding these common mistakes isn’t just a way to protect your bottom line—it’s how you future-proof your digital transformation efforts.
FAQs
What is the most common cloud computing mistake businesses make?
Treating the cloud solely as a technical upgrade rather than a strategic business enabler is one of the most common and costly mistakes.
Why is AI strategy important to cloud adoption?
AI and cloud work best together—AI relies on cloud infrastructure for scalability and data access, while cloud providers use AI to improve performance and user experience.
How can I prevent getting locked into a single cloud vendor?
Use modular architecture, open-source tools, and consider a multi-cloud approach. This gives you flexibility and leverage when negotiating or switching providers.
Are cloud services automatically secure?
No. While cloud providers offer strong security, users are responsible for securing their data, access points, and configurations.
How can businesses manage cloud costs for AI workloads?
Monitor resource usage, forecast costs, set budgets, and explore cost-efficient alternatives like edge computing or hybrid cloud solutions.
Innovation and Technology
The Ultimate Guide to Remote Marketing: Tools and Strategies for Success

With the rise of remote work, Tools for hybrid and remote work have become essential for businesses to stay competitive. In this guide, we’ll explore the best tools and strategies for remote marketing success. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and expertise to take your remote marketing efforts to the next level.
Understanding Remote Marketing
Remote marketing refers to the practice of promoting products or services to a target audience through digital channels, without the need for physical presence. This type of marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it allows businesses to reach a wider audience and reduce costs. Remote marketing encompasses a range of activities, including social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing.
Benefits of Remote Marketing
The benefits of remote marketing are numerous. For one, it allows businesses to reach a global audience, without the need for physical presence. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses or startups that may not have the resources to establish a physical presence in multiple locations. Additionally, remote marketing can be more cost-effective than traditional forms of marketing, as it eliminates the need for print or television ads.
Challenges of Remote Marketing
While remote marketing offers many benefits, it also presents several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is standing out in a crowded digital landscape. With so many businesses competing for attention online, it can be difficult to get noticed. Additionally, remote marketing requires a high degree of technical expertise, which can be a barrier for businesses that are new to digital marketing.
Remote Marketing Tools
There are many tools available to help businesses succeed with remote marketing. Some of the most popular tools include social media management software, email marketing platforms, and content management systems. These tools can help businesses streamline their marketing efforts, automate repetitive tasks, and track the effectiveness of their campaigns.
Social Media Management Tools
Social media management tools, such as Hootsuite and Buffer, allow businesses to schedule and publish content across multiple social media platforms. These tools can help businesses save time and increase their online presence. Additionally, they provide analytics and insights that can help businesses track the effectiveness of their social media campaigns.
Email Marketing Tools
Email marketing tools, such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact, allow businesses to create and send targeted email campaigns to their subscribers. These tools provide a range of features, including email templates, automation, and analytics. They can help businesses build relationships with their customers and drive sales.
Content Management Systems
Content management systems, such as WordPress and Drupal, allow businesses to create and manage their own websites. These tools provide a range of features, including templates, plugins, and themes. They can help businesses establish a professional online presence and attract more visitors to their website.
Remote Marketing Strategies
In addition to the right tools, businesses need a solid strategy to succeed with remote marketing. This includes understanding their target audience, creating engaging content, and measuring the effectiveness of their campaigns.
Understanding Your Target Audience
Understanding your target audience is critical to the success of your remote marketing efforts. This includes knowing their demographics, interests, and behaviors. By understanding your target audience, you can create content that resonates with them and addresses their needs.
Creating Engaging Content
Creating engaging content is essential to the success of your remote marketing efforts. This includes blog posts, social media posts, and email campaigns. By creating content that is informative, entertaining, and engaging, you can attract and retain the attention of your target audience.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Campaigns
Measuring the effectiveness of your campaigns is critical to the success of your remote marketing efforts. This includes tracking website traffic, engagement metrics, and conversion rates. By measuring the effectiveness of your campaigns, you can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
Best Practices for Remote Marketing
There are several best practices that businesses can follow to succeed with remote marketing. These include being authentic and transparent, providing value to your audience, and being consistent in your messaging.
Being Authentic and Transparent
Being authentic and transparent is essential to building trust with your target audience. This includes being honest and open in your marketing efforts, and avoiding misleading or deceptive practices. By being authentic and transparent, you can build a loyal following and establish a positive reputation.
Providing Value to Your Audience
Providing value to your audience is critical to the success of your remote marketing efforts. This includes creating content that is informative, entertaining, and engaging. By providing value to your audience, you can attract and retain their attention, and build a loyal following.
Being Consistent in Your Messaging
Being consistent in your messaging is essential to building a strong brand identity. This includes using a consistent tone, voice, and style in your marketing efforts. By being consistent in your messaging, you can build recognition and establish a positive reputation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remote marketing is a powerful way for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience. By using the right tools and strategies, businesses can succeed with remote marketing and drive sales, revenue, and growth. Remember to understand your target audience, create engaging content, and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. By following these best practices and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve your marketing goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is remote marketing?
Remote marketing refers to the practice of promoting products or services to a target audience through digital channels, without the need for physical presence.
What are the benefits of remote marketing?
The benefits of remote marketing include reaching a global audience, reducing costs, and increasing flexibility.
What tools do I need to succeed with remote marketing?
The tools you need to succeed with remote marketing include social media management software, email marketing platforms, and content management systems.
How do I measure the effectiveness of my remote marketing campaigns?
You can measure the effectiveness of your remote marketing campaigns by tracking website traffic, engagement metrics, and conversion rates.
What are the best practices for remote marketing?
The best practices for remote marketing include being authentic and transparent, providing value to your audience, and being consistent in your messaging.
Innovation and Technology
Update Zoom Apps Now

Introduction to Zoom’s Security Update
Video conferencing app Zoom has issued a new update alert after fixing multiple vulnerabilities affecting its Workplace apps. The fixes affect Zoom Workplace apps across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The worst issue is a flaw tracked as CVE-2025-30663, which is ranked as having a high severity, according to Zoom’s security bulletin.
Details of the Vulnerabilities
The Zoom flaw is a time-of-check to time-of-use issue. This could, in theory, allow an attacker to modify or replace a file between it being checked and being used. The other vulnerabilities are ranked as having a medium severity. Among these, CVE-2025-30668 is an integer underflow issue in Zoom Workplace apps for Windows. Meanwhile, CVE-2025-46785 is a buffer over-read issue in Zoom Workplace apps for Windows. CVE-2025-30665 and CVE-2025-30666 are NULL pointer dereference issues in Zoom Workplace apps for Windows.
Impact and Risks
None of the flaws are known to have been used in real-life attacks. The Zoom patches come at a busy time for updates. Apple has issued iOS 18.5, fixing over 30 issues in its iPhone operating system, alongside other updates including iPadOS 17.7.7. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday addresses a number of important flaws.
Zoom Flaw Allows Attacker To Elevate Privileges
In total, there are nine Zoom flaws, the worst of which could allow an attacker to elevate privileges, says Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at Knowbe4. "Given the number of people that use and rely on Zoom for their organizations’ day-to-day activities, this type of flaw could be very significant,” he says. Since the pandemic, Zoom has remained a key communication tool for businesses globally. But as AI allows attackers to create fake images and videos, it’s difficult to know whether people are who they say they are.
Mitigating the Risks
Deepfake audio and video have already been an issue, and in this case having a Zoom meeting initiated from a legitimate account could be the difference between a person believing the caller and not believing them, says Kron. Fortunately, exploiting the Zoom flaw in question is not something that can be done easily remotely, he says. This means physical access to your device is required, which is obviously much more difficult for an adversary. “However, it demonstrates what may be possible with other future vulnerabilities that could be remotely exploited,” Kron says.
Conclusion
The Zoom updates cover multiple apps, so it’s a good idea to check your devices now. If the updates are available, apply them as soon as you can to keep your Zoom apps safe. By doing so, you can protect yourself from potential attacks and ensure a secure communication experience.
FAQs
- Q: What is the severity of the Zoom vulnerabilities?
- A: The worst issue is ranked as having a high severity, while the others are ranked as having a medium severity.
- Q: Can the Zoom flaws be exploited remotely?
- A: Fortunately, exploiting the Zoom flaw in question is not something that can be done easily remotely, and physical access to your device is required.
- Q: How many Zoom flaws have been fixed?
- A: In total, there are nine Zoom flaws that have been fixed.
- Q: Are the flaws known to have been used in real-life attacks?
- A: None of the flaws are known to have been used in real-life attacks.
Innovation and Technology
Navigating B2B Sales Disruption

Introduction to B2B Sales Disruption
Buying and selling continue to change, and everybody wants to know how AI affects B2B sales. Here’s the situation: Sales teams have long struggled to adapt their tools and techniques to today’s purchasing dynamic. Now, new forces stress sales organizations in unprecedented ways. Paradoxically, these same forces fuel an emerging B2B sales supercycle — an extended period of growth and transformation.
The disruptive decade ahead has characteristics never seen before, which significantly affect all revenue and go-to-market teams. Simultaneously, the future will be both chaotic and exciting. To succeed in this new reality, selling teams must unlearn much of what has made them successful in the past.
The Enduring Forces Shaping B2B Sales
Previously, the internet, cloud, and digitization have driven long cycles of growth and change. Similarly, the next supercycle is forming. This extended period of B2B sales will be more intelligent, accelerated, adaptive, integrated, and networked. Furthermore, it will change nearly every aspect of sales: strategy, budgets, coverage, training, quotas, compensation, execution, and more. Shaping this future is a handful of forces:
- Artificial intelligence. AI bots will automate routine sales tasks, and AI agents will perform higher-order selling actions. With AI, sales process and tech will become essential.
- Self-service. Buyers continue to complete more purchasing tasks on their own. Consequently, buying motions disrupt selling motions, and sellers must prioritize buyer enablement.
- Buying complexity. Customers have more choices, tools, and stakeholders in their buying network, but this purchase complexity creates longer sales cycles and seller confusion.
- Ecosystems. Partner ecosystems are digitizing and growing, thrusting the route-to-market topic to the forefront of sales strategy. Critically, routes to market are routes to revenue.
- PE and VC composition. A greater number of opportunistic, tech-savvy private equity and venture capital portfolio companies increases competition for larger incumbents.
The Implications For Sales And Revenue Leaders
Most B2B sales organizations have an unsustainably large amount of transformation debt, a backlog of improvements that should have been made long ago but weren’t. These improvements are often shelved in favor of short-term sales goals. Unfortunately, this puts sales teams further back on the change curve. Moreover, sales leaders face shocking new realities in the next decade:
- Employment and income insecurity will rise among sales professionals. In Forrester’s Future Of Work Survey, 2024, 60% of B2B employees say they fear losing their job due to automation within the next 10 years. For B2B sellers working to hit quota, this adds to already high stress and turnover rates. Sales leaders, take note: There is an emerging wellness crisis among sellers.
- AI sales agents will be onboarded and trained to co-sell. With AI and automation driving this supercycle, 75% of B2B automation decision-makers in Forrester’s Automation Survey, 2024, indicated that they expect their organization to invest in sales automation in the next 18 months. Indeed, AI will automate selling tasks and customer touchpoints; it will also co-sell with account executives.
- Sales budgets that are heavy on headcount will be light on results. Important sales tech investments come with an expectation of cost reduction and productivity elsewhere. This creates tough trade-offs. Sales leaders must optimize budgets across a changing mix of headcount, technology, and workflow. As tech improves, headcount decisions will become agonizingly difficult for sales leaders.
- Go-to-market roles, processes, and technologies will continue to merge. Expect convergence both within sales and across sales, marketing, product, and customer success. Convergence touches everything — process, tech, roles, working groups, and more. As an example, development rep roles will likely be partially automated and combined with other go-to-market roles.
Sales Practices Must Match Sales Realities
The best sellers adapt their tools and techniques for the moment. Fortunately, that hasn’t changed much. Nonetheless, it’s difficult for long-time sales leaders to reimagine their own function — and to then get the organizational support to transform it. Yet this is exactly what sales and revenue leaders must do.
Conclusion
The future of B2B sales will be shaped by several enduring forces, including artificial intelligence, self-service, buying complexity, ecosystems, and PE and VC composition. Sales leaders must be aware of these forces and adapt their strategies, budgets, and techniques to succeed in this new reality. The next decade of B2B sales will be characterized by growth, transformation, and disruption, and sales leaders must be prepared to navigate these changes to stay ahead of the competition.
FAQs
- What are the main forces shaping the future of B2B sales?
The main forces shaping the future of B2B sales are artificial intelligence, self-service, buying complexity, ecosystems, and PE and VC composition. - How will AI affect B2B sales?
AI will automate routine sales tasks and perform higher-order selling actions, changing the way sales teams work and interact with customers. - What is the impact of self-service on B2B sales?
Self-service will disrupt selling motions, and sellers must prioritize buyer enablement to succeed. - How will buying complexity affect B2B sales?
Buying complexity will create longer sales cycles and seller confusion, requiring sales leaders to adapt their strategies and techniques. - What is the role of ecosystems in B2B sales?
Partner ecosystems are digitizing and growing, thrusting the route-to-market topic to the forefront of sales strategy, and routes to market are routes to revenue.
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