Cloud and Edge: the future of digital infrastructure
By: Hugo Markl, District Manager SSA (Spanish South America) Hitachi Vantara.
We live on the edge, and the future of infrastructure is no exception. The combination of Cloud and Edge computing is paving the way for a new era of real-time intelligence. Speed, intelligence, and flexibility are no longer competitive advantages—they are essential elements.
As data volumes increase—considering that a typical large enterprise currently manages 150 petabytes, a figure expected to double by 2026—and with mounting pressure to deliver real-time responses, Edge Computing is emerging as a critical shift in how companies develop and operate their infrastructures.
According to Hitachi Vantara’s 2024 Global Data Infrastructure Status Report, this data growth is driving organizations to rethink centralized architectures. No longer confined to the margins of IT strategy, Edge Computing is now recognized as a key enabler of innovation across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, banking, and retail.
Significant investments are fueling this momentum toward Edge adoption. IDC projects global spending on Edge Computing will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%, reaching nearly $380 billion by 2028, up from $261 billion in 2025.
The figures are impressive, and there is no sign of this trend slowing down. As IT executives seek to tighten margins and optimize data strategies, demand for localized processing and analytics is expected to continue its rapid growth.
Why is Proximity an Advantage?
The answer lies in the familiar phrase “from point A to point B.” Data infrastructure teams currently achieve unparalleled speed and lower latency for core operations by processing data close to its source.
This force multiplier provides organizations with actionable real-time insights, driving operational optimization and innovation. The technology democratizes AI capabilities through its ability to perform advanced processing nearly at the network Edge, rather than requiring extensive centralized deployments.
Edge AI: From Theory to Practice.
The implementation of Edge Computing is transforming how Artificial Intelligence operates. Most AI workloads previously relied on extensive Cloud infrastructure to function.
Today, AI functionality runs at the Edge thanks to improved computing and storage technologies, creating new opportunities for applications that require high bandwidth and low latency operations.
From offshore oil platforms and remote mines to rural clinics, organizations integrating AI into their Edge operations gain localized insights that enable autonomous decision-making where it matters most.
Security and Compliance at the Source.
Speed and insight matter; however, without robust security and governance at the Edge, they are insufficient.
Workload distribution must never compromise security measures. Edge Computing protects sensitive data by processing it locally, minimizing exposure during data transfers.
Zero trust architectures combined with data encryption and secure boot procedures have become standard practices that enhance Edge deployment security by restricting access to authorized users, protecting data at rest and in transit, and ensuring only verified software runs on Edge devices—thus reducing the attack surface in distributed environments.
An additional benefit is that Edge models ensure compliance with local regulations and data sovereignty laws, particularly in regions with strict guidelines on personal data usage.
What’s Next: Orchestrating Between Edge and Cloud.
Looking ahead, the real opportunity lies in flexible orchestration between Edge and Cloud. Systems that enable intelligent workload movement based on security, latency, or regulatory requirements will deliver the greatest return on investment.
Forward-looking organizations will adopt Edge Computing as a leap into the future to complement—rather than replace—centralized systems, allowing them to act swiftly, reduce risks, and generate insights exactly when and where they are needed.
Conclusion: Corporate IT departments continuously preparing their organizations for the future should consider shifting computing operations toward the Edge.
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