IT teams are grappling with significant challenges related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the management of hybrid workforces, as highlighted in SolarWinds’ 2025 IT Trends Report. Despite 90% of IT professionals considering their organizations resilient, less than half feel adequately prepared to tackle these core issues.
The report, based on surveys from over 600 IT leaders across nine countries, reveals a stark contrast between confidence and actual readiness. Only 52% of respondents expressed confidence in managing cyber threats, while 45% felt ready to support remote workforces, and just 38% felt comfortable dealing with artificial intelligence challenges. Moreover, 26% reported being confident in managing bring-your-own-device policies.
RJ Gazarek, senior director of product marketing at SolarWinds, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to technology adoption. Organizations often focus on quick technology fixes during crises, overlooking the human element and the need for proper operational strategies. He advocates for considering the expertise of the people involved and how they are expected to utilize new tools.
The report identifies key factors impacting efficiency and productivity issues. Inefficient workflows account for 53% of respondents citing slow issue response times, while 36% highlight understaffing as a critical challenge. Only 13% believe they lack the right tools.
Organizations face severe consequences when operational resilience falls short. The survey indicates that 71% of respondents view customer experience as a primary concern stemming from service outages and critical issues. About 32% reported revenue loss due to these disruptions, and 28% mentioned damage to their brand reputation.
Half of the organizations track performance metrics like mean time to detect issues, yet 45% do not monitor these metrics, often due to a lack of awareness or resource constraints. Those who do measure performance indicate that while tools play a crucial role in improving detection times, workflows and team effectiveness are significant contributors as well.
Cullen Childress, chief product officer at SolarWinds, stresses that achieving operational resilience is not merely about adopting new technology. It requires equipping IT teams with the right tools, workflows, and talent to remain agile and responsive in a competitive landscape. When barriers are removed and resilience is integrated into everyday operations, IT becomes a strategic advantage for organizations.
For further insights, the full report can be accessed through the SolarWinds 2025 IT Trends Report.
