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5 Cloud Computing Mistakes That Could Cost You Big in 2025

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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

  • Netflix combines AI analytics with cloud to personalize streaming.

  • Amazon leverages AI and cloud for dynamic e-commerce experiences.

  • 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:

  • View cloud as a business enabler, not just infrastructure

  • Build a culture of security across teams

  • Align AI and cloud strategies from day one

  • Monitor and manage AI-related cloud costs

  • 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

5 Dangerous Myths About AI Ethics

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5 Dangerous Myths About AI Ethics

Introduction to AI Ethics

AI can empower just about any business to innovate and drive efficiency, but it also has the potential to do damage and cause harm. This means that everyone putting it to use needs to understand the ethical frameworks in place to keep everyone safe. At the end of the day, AI is a tool. AI ethics can be thought of as the safety warning you get in big letters at the front of any user manual, setting out some firm dos and don’ts about using it. Using AI almost always involves making ethical choices. In a business setting, understanding the many ways it can affect people and culture means we have the best information for making those choices.

Common Misconceptions About AI Ethics

It’s a subject there’s still a lot of confusion around, not least involving who is responsible and who should be ensuring this gets done. So here are five common misconceptions involving the ethics of generative AI and machine learning.

1. AI Is Not Neutral

It’s easy to think of machines as entirely calculating, impartial and emotionless in their decision-making. Unfortunately, that’s very likely not the case. Machine learning is always a product of the data it’s trained on, and in many cases, that means data created by humans. It’s quite possible it will contain many human prejudices, conjectures and uneducated opinions, and this is where the problem of AI bias springs from. Understanding how bias passes from humans to machines is key to building tools and algorithms that will reduce the chance of causing harm or worsening societal inequalities.

2. AI Ethics Will Be Driven By Geopolitics

America has been the global leader in AI research, development and commercialization for a long time, but the facts show that China is catching up fast. Today, China’s universities are turning out more graduates and PhDs in AI fields, and AI tools developed by Chinese businesses are closing the performance gap versus U.S. competitors. The risk (more of a certainty) is that players in this high-stakes political game start to think about where ethics should be sacrificed for efficiency. For example, openness and transparency are ethical goals for AI, as transparent AI helps us understand its decisions and make sure its actions are safe. However, the need to keep secrets that confer a competitive advantage could affect decisions and attitudes about exactly how transparent AI should be.

3. AI Ethics Are Everyone’s Responsibility

When it comes to AI, it’s important not to assume there’s a centralized authority that will spot when things aren’t being done properly and ride to the rescue. Legislators will inevitably struggle to keep up with the pace of development, and most companies are lagging when it comes to establishing their own rules, regulations and best practices. It’s hard to predict the ways that AI will change society, and inevitably, some of those will cause harm, so it’s important that everyone understands the shared responsibility to be vigilant. This means encouraging free-flowing channels of conversation around the impact and ensuring that transparency and ethical whistleblowing are encouraged.

4. Ethics Must Be Built Into AI, Not Bolted On

Ethical AI is not a “nice-to-have,” and it isn’t an item to be checked off a list just before a project goes live. At that point, any uncertainty around flaws such as biased data, the potential to breach privacy or safety assessments will be baked in. Our approach to ethical AI must be proactive rather than reactive, which means assessing every step for the potential to cause harm or ethical breaches at the planning stage. Safeguards should be included in strategic planning and project management to minimize any chances that data bias, lack of transparency, or privacy breaches will lead to ethical failures.

5. Trust Is Paramount

Ok, so the final and very important thing to remember is that we don’t just do ethical AI because it gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It’s because it’s absolutely critical to using AI to its true potential. This is largely due to one word, which is trust. If people see that AI is making biased decisions, or that it’s being used without accountability, they simply won’t trust it. Without trust in AI, people are unlikely to share the data it relies on or adopt it in practice.

Conclusion

Overall, the level of trust that society puts in AI is what will eventually determine whether it achieves its potential of helping us solve big, difficult problems like tackling climate change or inequality. Ethical AI is about building trust and making sure we don’t scupper its hugely positive potential before we can put it to work.

FAQs

Q: What is the main goal of AI ethics?
A: The main goal of AI ethics is to ensure that AI systems are developed and used in ways that are transparent, accountable, and fair, and that they do not perpetuate biases or cause harm to individuals or society.
Q: Who is responsible for ensuring AI ethics?
A: Everyone involved in the development and use of AI, including developers, organizations, and individuals, shares responsibility for ensuring AI ethics.
Q: How can we build trust in AI?
A: We can build trust in AI by being transparent about how AI systems work, ensuring that they are fair and unbiased, and holding developers and users accountable for their actions.
Q: Why is it important to consider geopolitics in AI ethics?
A: Geopolitics can impact the development and use of AI, and considering these factors can help ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that are fair and beneficial to all.
Q: What happens if AI is not developed and used ethically?
A: If AI is not developed and used ethically, it can perpetuate biases, cause harm to individuals or society, and undermine trust in AI and the organizations that use it.

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Innovation and Technology

The Ultimate Guide to Remote Marketing: Tools and Strategies for Success

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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.

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Innovation and Technology

Update Zoom Apps Now

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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.
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