Wasabi’s 2026 Global Cloud Storage Index Highlights Growing Demand in ASEAN

Wasabi Technologies has published its 2026 Global Cloud Storage Index, offering insights into how organizations worldwide—and particularly in Southeast Asia—are managing their cloud storage needs amid accelerating digital transformation. The report, based on a survey of IT decision-makers across multiple regions, underscores the growing importance of cloud storage as a backbone for AI, data analytics, and business continuity.

For ASEAN economies, the index signals a pivotal shift. As enterprises in markets like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam scale their digital operations, cloud storage consumption is rising sharply. Key findings relevant to the region include:

• Storage growth outstripping expectations: ASEAN organizations reported a year-on-year increase in cloud storage volumes of over 30%, driven by data-heavy applications such as AI model training, video surveillance, and IoT sensor data.
• Multi-cloud and hybrid strategies dominate: More than 70% of respondents in Southeast Asia use two or more cloud providers to manage workloads, reflecting a desire to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize costs.
• Cost optimization remains top priority: With cloud spending rising, enterprises are increasingly seeking flat-rate pricing models and exploring object storage alternatives to traditional block storage to manage expenses.
• AI workload impact: The surge in generative AI adoption in sectors like financial services, e-commerce, and manufacturing is fueling demand for scalable, high-performance storage that can handle large datasets and real-time inference.

Regional Impact

The index reinforces that ASEAN’s digital infrastructure must evolve to keep pace with storage demand. Data center investments in the region are accelerating, with hyperscalers and local providers expanding capacity in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. However, the report also highlights challenges such as data sovereignty regulations—like Indonesia’s cross-border data flow rules—which push enterprises toward localized storage solutions.

For ASEAN’s startup ecosystem and SMEs, cost-efficient cloud storage is becoming a critical enabler. The ability to store and process large volumes of data without prohibitive upfront costs allows smaller players to compete in AI-driven markets. Additionally, the index suggests that cloud storage providers are tailoring offerings to regional needs, such as compliance with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and Vietnam’s cybersecurity laws.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2027–2028, the index projects that ASEAN will become one of the fastest-growing cloud storage markets globally. Key trends to watch:

• Edge storage will gain traction, especially for smart city initiatives and industrial IoT in countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
• AI-native storage architectures will emerge, optimized for vector databases and high-throughput access required by large language models.
• Sustainability concerns will shape storage procurement, with enterprises favoring providers that use renewable energy and efficient cooling in ASEAN data centers.
• Regulatory harmonization under the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 could simplify cross-border data flows, potentially reducing the need for duplicate storage in each country.

Wasabi’s 2026 index serves as a benchmark for ASEAN technology leaders evaluating their storage strategies. As the region’s digital economy continues to expand, leveraging flexible, cost-effective cloud storage will be essential to maintaining competitiveness and fueling innovation.