Broadcom announced the general availability of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, a platform designed to enable modern private cloud solutions. This new release aims to help organisations accelerate innovation, control costs, and enhance security—key concerns for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) navigating the complexities of cloud environments.
VCF 9.0 combines the agility of public cloud services with the control and security of on-premises infrastructure. It supports all applications, whether traditional, modern, or AI-driven, offering a unified platform that simplifies operations and governance.
“Most enterprises are now looking to the private cloud to run both traditional mission-critical and new AI and containerized applications,” said Krish Prasad, senior vice president at Broadcom.
One notable feature of VCF 9.0 is its focus on security and compliance. The platform provides robust data control and cyber resilience, essential for meeting regulatory requirements. A new SecOps dashboard allows IT teams to monitor platform security and compliance policies effectively. This aligns with the increasing need for organisations to ensure that their cloud operations comply with evolving data protection regulations.
The report highlights that 88% of security leaders believe legacy infrastructure hampers GenAI readiness. VCF 9.0 addresses this by providing a streamlined architecture that supports modern applications while reducing operational complexity. “With VMware Cloud Foundation, we can offer our customers a private cloud operating model from our own data center,” stated Michael Heier, Head of Managed Workplace at Ratiodata.
Moreover, VCF 9.0 enhances cost management through comprehensive insights into resource usage, enabling organisations to plan and optimise cloud spending effectively. The platform’s built-in analytics facilitate predictive cost modelling, helping to avoid unexpected financial challenges—a critical concern for CISOs tasked with maintaining budgetary oversight.
The introduction of advanced services like VMware Private AI Foundation and VMware Live Recovery further underscores VCF 9.0’s commitment to security and operational efficiency. These services provide robust threat detection, disaster recovery capabilities, and enhanced AI integration, allowing organisations to harness AI securely while minimising risks.
As Keith Woolley, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the University of Bristol, noted, “With VMware Cloud Foundation, we have built a modern private cloud that completely revolutionises the way we operate.” This sentiment reflects a broader trend in which organisations seek to combine innovation with security in their cloud strategies.
In a landscape where cybersecurity is paramount, VCF 9.0 represents a significant advancement for organisations aiming to modernise their IT infrastructure while ensuring they remain resilient against emerging threats.
Peer review caution
One Gartner Peer reviewer cites the high cost of entry as a caution for would-be users: "VCF requires significant up-front investment in both licensed software and compatible hardware. The bundled nature of VCF means you're paying for the full stack-even if you only need certain components."
The other issues raised are complex initial deployment, steep learning curve, and limited flexibility in customisation.