Technology moves fast, but the foundation behind it (the IT infrastructure) still dictates how well a business runs. In 2025, that foundation includes a mix of physical hardware, cloud platforms, real-time data flow, and intelligent systems that manage everything underneath. The challenge isn’t finding tools; it’s knowing which components are critical and how they work together.
This article breaks down the 7 components of an IT system that are essential to keep business operations running efficiently and securely.
Hardware: The Physical Layer Every System Depends On
Hardware remains the most tangible part of IT infrastructure, and one that often gets overlooked as businesses chase software-first strategies. It still powers everything else and deserves strategic attention.
Key elements of the hardware layer:
- Servers: Handle processing workloads, either on-site or as part of hybrid cloud infrastructure. Modular and scalable designs are common in 2025.
- Storage devices: SSDs, SANs, and NAS systems store critical business data. Many setups now mix local storage with cloud-based options.
- Networking gear: Routers, switches, and firewalls create the backbone of business connectivity.
- User devices: Laptops, desktops, and mobile hardware still represent endpoints that need management and protection.
Considerations:
- High energy efficiency is now a baseline requirement.
- Edge computing is driving demand for compact, on-site hardware in distributed locations.
- Remote support tools make managing hardware across multiple offices more practical.
Why it matters: Every other part of your infrastructure (including software, cloud services, and business processes) relies on well-chosen, well-maintained hardware components. When hardware fails or falls behind, everything above it suffers.
Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Robust IT Infrastructure
Software: The Systems That Keep Everything Running
No matter how powerful the hardware is, it’s the software that manages system performance, security, and usability. In 2025, businesses rely on a layered mix of software tools to control operations and support infrastructure at scale.
Core types of infrastructure software:
- Operating systems (OS): Every device (servers, workstations, cloud VMs) runs on an OS. Windows Server, Linux distributions, and macOS still dominate in their respective environments.
- Management and monitoring tools: These platforms handle everything from patching to performance monitoring to automated alerts. Infrastructure management now leans heavily on AI-assisted insights.
- Virtualization software: Platforms like VMware and Hyper-V help run multiple virtual machines on a single hardware stack, making better use of available resources.
- Security software: Firewalls, endpoint protection, identity and access management tools all fall under this category.
What’s different in 2025:
- Most systems include built-in automation for repetitive tasks: updates, backups, performance tuning.
- Seamless integration between on-prem and cloud environments is a must.
- Compliance and reporting tools are increasingly bundled with infrastructure software for audit readiness.
Why it matters: Software is what manages the system. Without it, your infrastructure is idle hardware. It’s also where automation, scale, and visibility come into play; essentials for managing modern business operations.
Network: The Infrastructure that Moves Data
A stable, secure network is non-negotiable. It connects everything (users, apps, cloud platforms, and data centers) and determines how fast and safely information travels.
Key network infrastructure components:
- Switches and routers: Handle traffic between internal devices and connect to external networks.
- Firewalls and security gateways: Filter traffic and enforce access policies to protect business systems.
- Wireless access points (WAPs): Essential in hybrid and flexible work environments.
- Internet connection(s): Bandwidth, redundancy, and uptime directly affect productivity and service delivery.
What’s changed in 2025:
- Software-defined networking (SDN) is more common in enterprise and mid-size deployments, allowing remote configuration and real-time monitoring.
- Multi-location businesses are investing in network redundancy and intelligent routing to prevent downtime.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is replacing traditional VPNs for securing remote access.
Why it matters: If data can’t move efficiently, nothing else works: cloud computing, collaboration, even basic business processes stall. Network infrastructure is what supports real-time communication, remote access, and secure web traffic.
Learn more: Biggest IT Challenges Facing Businesses Today (and How to Solve Them)
Data Storage: Capacity, Speed, and Redundancy
Every business generates data (customer records, transactions, analytics, internal documents) and storing it securely and accessibly is non-negotiable. Data storage today isn’t just about saving space; it’s about enabling real-time access, recovery, and compliance.
Storage types in modern infrastructure:
- Local storage on physical drives (HDDs, SSDs) still has a role, especially for latency-sensitive applications.
- Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Networks (SAN) allow centralized data storage for teams or systems that need shared access.
- Cloud-based storage is the default choice for scalability, offsite backups, and cost efficiency.
Why data storage is a strategic priority in 2025:
- Businesses are working with huge amounts of data (such as AI models, high-res media, customer insights) and need infrastructure that can keep up.
- Hybrid storage setups balance performance and cost by combining fast local storage with elastic cloud services.
- Regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) pushes organizations to treat storage as a policy issue, not just a technical one.
Bottom line: Without a reliable data storage strategy, systems fail under pressure, backups fall through, and access to critical information becomes a bottleneck. Businesses should invest in storage that’s built to grow, adapt, and recover.
Cloud Infrastructure: The Core of Scalability and Flexibility
Cloud infrastructure powers everything from file sharing to application hosting to disaster recovery.
Components of a strong cloud infrastructure setup:
- Public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) handle general-purpose workloads at scale.
- Private cloud environments offer tighter control for sensitive data and high-security operations.
- Hybrid models combine the two, allowing businesses to run workloads where it makes the most sense.
Key benefits businesses are realizing:
- On-demand scalability: Infrastructure grows with the business; no more overbuying physical hardware.
- Resilience: Cloud platforms offer built-in redundancy and geographic failover, keeping services available during local outages.
- Integration with existing infrastructure: Businesses don’t need to start from scratch; many cloud solutions plug into on-prem systems or existing apps.
Strategic use cases:
- Hosting web servers and customer portals.
- Running data analytics in real time.
- Supporting remote work and global teams without expanding physical offices.
Takeaway: Cloud infrastructure has shifted from being a cost-saving option to a critical business enabler. It supports business processes that require flexibility, speed, and global reach, without the limitations of traditional setups.
Learn more: What is Cloud Disaster Recovery and How Does It Work?
Data Centers: Physical and Virtual Nerve Centers
Data centers still play a central role in IT infrastructure, just not in the same way they did ten years ago. Now, businesses are combining physical facilities, virtual environments, and co-located assets to keep critical workloads available and secure.
Data center models in use today:
- On-premises: Some businesses still operate their own data centers for compliance, latency, or control reasons.
- Co-location facilities: A popular option for SMBs and mid-sized enterprises that need secure infrastructure without owning the building.
- Virtual data centers: Cloud providers now offer complete infrastructure environments as a service, eliminating the need for physical space.
Modern priorities for data center infrastructure:
- Energy efficiency is a requirement, not a bonus. Cost savings and ESG goals both demand it.
- Redundancy is built into every level: power, connectivity, cooling, and servers.
- Security includes physical controls, monitoring, and real-time alerts.
Why it matters: Data centers house the systems that run your business (like web servers, storage, applications, and backups). Choosing the right setup directly impacts uptime, performance, and how fast you can scale.
Learn more: The Value-Driven Benefits of Digital Transformation for SMBs
Business Applications and Web Servers: The Interfaces that Drive Work
This is where users interact with the infrastructure. Business applications and web servers sit on top of everything else, but their performance depends on what’s underneath.
Core infrastructure elements here include:
- Web servers that deliver websites, portals, and SaaS platforms to users across the world.
- Business software like ERP, CRM, HR, and finance tools are often hosted in the cloud or in virtualized environments.
- Integration layers that connect different systems and services across your IT infrastructure.
Trends shaping application delivery in 2025:
- Businesses prioritize real-time data exchange between systems to support fast decision-making.
- Infrastructure must support high uptime and fast load speeds across regions.
- Apps are increasingly modular and API-driven, requiring flexible backend support.
Why it matters: Applications are how people experience your infrastructure. If they’re slow, offline, or poorly connected, productivity drops and customer experiences suffer.
Next Steps: Determining the Core Components of Your IT Infrastructure
Every system your business relies on (cloud apps, email, storage, remote access) depends on a well-built IT infrastructure. Understanding the core components isn’t just helpful; it’s essential if you’re planning to upgrade, expand, or simply make smarter tech decisions.
This breakdown gives you a starting point. Now it’s about looking at how your current setup compares, and where the gaps are.
Use our simple IT Infrastructure Performance Review Checklist to evaluate your existing setup and identify what might need attention.
