Cloud computing is full of uncomfortable realities that most organizations ignore at their peril. Optimization tools, often touted as the answer to spiraling costs, are typically engineered to miss the most expensive inefficiencies—providers have little incentive to help you truly cut spend. Enterprise contracts and customized SLAs offer a false sense of protection; when crises hit, businesses often find they have little real leverage and are ultimately responsible for building their own resilience.

The much-hyped “cloud transformations” in most enterprises are superficial—legacy applications are simply rehosted instead of truly reengineered, creating expensive technical debt rather than delivering genuine innovation. Security failures rarely come from outside attackers; instead, it’s insider mistakes—like misconfigured permissions or careless credential exposure—that trigger the most damaging incidents. Meanwhile, the booming market for cloud certifications fails to guarantee real-world skill—teams stuffed with credentials often lack the hands-on capability to handle the complexity and unpredictability of actual cloud operations.

Ultimately, succeeding in the cloud means rejecting illusions and facing the gritty truths: you can’t outsource vigilance, optimization, or real transformation. True cloud maturity requires continuous auditing, ruthless realism, and a culture that values outcomes and operational discipline above hype or credentials.

This talk provides a strategic roadmap for building a successful cloud computing career, emphasizing technical and business skills. It begins with the importance of self-assessment and industry awareness, helping attendees identify where their strengths and interests best align within the fast-evolving cloud landscape.

The presentation breaks down five primary cloud career domains—Architecture, DevOps, Security, Data/AI/ML, and Consulting—with talking points outlining the essential skills, preferred certifications, and typical growth trajectories in each. Attendees learn why architects focus on scalable and cost-effective system design, how DevOps roles drive automation and deployment efficiency, and why cloud security remains a mission-critical, evolving specialty. The talk also explores the high-impact nature of data and AI/ML roles and details the versatile, client-facing world of cloud consulting.

A key takeaway is the necessity for continuous hands-on learning, community engagement, and the development of technical expertise and soft skills. The session concludes by encouraging attendees to be intentional about their career moves, pursue ongoing education, and remain adaptable to thrive as cloud computing transforms the technology landscape.

European organizations are increasingly questioning their reliance on US hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google amid growing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty. At April's KubeCon EU event, discussions highlighted a surging interest in alternative cloud providers driven by several pressing concerns: unreliable US policies, escalating pricing due to tariffs, and fears of espionage. The unpredictable nature of decisions under leaders like Donald Trump has amplified the urgency for companies to protect their operations and data from potential disruptions.

Prominent figures like Mark Boost, CEO of UK-based Civo, and Frank Karlitschek of Nextcloud noted a sharp rise in inquiries about sovereign cloud services. Customers fear the US administration’s ability to abruptly cut off services, access confidential data, or impose unforeseen regulations. These concerns are paired with frustrations over the dominant “oligopoly” of US providers, who hold approximately 70% of Europe’s cloud market.

Transitioning away, however, isn't easy. Migration timelines often span months or years, requiring a phased, strategic approach. Yet, motivated by fears of losing control of their data, some organizations are seeking rapid moves. As geopolitical shifts create significant anxiety, leaders argue this could accelerate Europe's push toward building a sovereign, competitive cloud ecosystem, offering alternatives to US dominance.