What is IT infrastructure?

Information technology infrastructure, or IT infrastructure, is the complete set of components that support the delivery and management of IT services within an organization. This includes hardware, software, and all other IT resources needed to run its technology environment. 

IT Infrastructure Management, on the other hand, is the process of monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing all these components so they operate smoothly, securely, and efficiently. 

Why is IT Infrastructure Management important?

IT Infrastructure Management is important because it ensures that the systems and technologies a business depends on are always available, secure, and performing as expected.

Without it, issues like downtime, performance bottlenecks, and security vulnerabilities can quickly disrupt operations. And the consequences aren’t just technical — they can be financial. 

Components of the IT infrastructure

IT infrastructure is made up of several key components that work together to support IT services and operations. The main components are:

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Networking
4. Data centers and facilities
5. Cloud services

#1: Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components that make up the core of an organization’s IT environment.

This includes servers, desktop and laptop computers, and networking equipment like switches and routers. It also includes storage systems, backup units for data recovery, and peripherals like printers, scanners, and external drives that support daily operations. 

Hardware is expected to lead the global IT infrastructure market with a 41% share in 2025, driven by ongoing technological upgrades and demand for performance and reliability (Coherent Market Insights).

#2: Software

Software refers to the programs and systems that run on hardware and enable organizations to perform IT and business operations.

This includes operating systems like Windows Server and Linux, enterprise applications such as ERP and CRM systems, ITSM software for managing service delivery, ITAM software for tracking and maintaining IT assets, and virtualization platforms like VMware and Hyper-V. 

#3: Networking

Networking refers to the systems and devices that connect computers, servers, and other components so they can share data and resources.

This includes routers, switches, firewalls, access points, and load balancers. These elements ensure fast, secure, and reliable communication across internal systems and with external networks like the internet.

#4: Data centers and facilities

Data centers and facilities are the physical environments where IT infrastructure is housed and operated.

This includes server racks, power supplies, cooling systems, and physical security measures like surveillance and access control. Whether on-premise or hosted externally, these spaces are designed to keep systems stable, secure, and always available.

#5: Cloud services

Cloud services provide virtual infrastructure and IT resources over the internet, allowing organizations to scale and adapt more easily.

This includes compute services like Amazon EC2, cloud storage like Google Cloud Storage, managed databases like Azure SQL, and network tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and content delivery networks (CDNs). 

Types of IT infrastructure

Organizations can set up and manage their infrastructure in different ways depending on their size, needs, and resources. Here are the four main types:

#1: Traditional infrastructure

Traditional infrastructure is built entirely on physical hardware located on-premises. This setup offers full control but requires significant manual work. It's typically used by organizations with strict security, compliance, or latency requirements. 

On-premise infrastructure is projected to dominate deployment types in 2025, accounting for 59% of the global market, due to its importance in regulated industries that require full control over data and systems (Coherent Market Insights).

#2: Cloud infrastructure

With Cloud Infrastructure Management, IT teams handle resources like compute power, storage, and networking that are delivered over the internet by a third-party provider (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud). 

This model allows for flexible scaling, automation, and cost optimization, but it also requires strong governance and vendor management.

#3: Hybrid infrastructure

Hybrid infrastructure combines both on-premises systems and cloud services. Many organizations take this approach to get the best of both worlds: control over critical systems and flexibility for less sensitive workloads. 

Managing a hybrid environment means ensuring seamless integration, secure data flow, and consistent policies across cloud and on-prem setups.

#4: Hyperconverged infrastructure

Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) bundles compute, storage, and networking into a single software-defined system. It simplifies management through a unified interface and relies heavily on virtualization and automation. 

This approach reduces complexity compared to traditional setups and makes it easier to scale, though it may require specialized knowledge of HCI platforms. 

How to start managing the IT infrastructure

Managing IT infrastructure it’s all about building a strategy to keep systems reliable, secure, and aligned with business goals. Here’s a simple step-by-step process to get started:

#1. Assess your current infrastructure

Start with a full IT infrastructure assessment to understand what you have. Build a complete unified IT inventory with all your hardware, software, networks, and cloud services. 

This gives you a clear baseline to spot gaps, outdated components, or underused resources. It also helps you prioritize what needs attention first.

#2. Define your IT infrastructure strategy

Once you know what you're working with, create an IT infrastructure strategy and place an IT infrastructure manager in charge. This should align with your organization’s goals, whether it’s scaling operations, improving performance, cutting costs, or enhancing security. 

Decide which components should stay on-premises, what can move to the cloud, and how everything should be managed.

#3. Implement monitoring and alerts

Set up IT infrastructure monitoring to keep an eye on performance, availability, and usage across your systems. 

This includes tools with features for tracking servers, networks, applications, and storage. Real-time alerts help IT teams respond quickly to issues before they escalate.

#4. Prioritize maintenance and updates

Create a routine for IT infrastructure maintenance. It should include updates, patches, backups, and hardware checks. 

This reduces downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and helps keep systems secure. Automating some of these tasks can also save time and lower the risk of human error.

#5. Focus on infrastructure security

IT infrastructure security should be baked into every layer, from securing physical access to configuring firewalls and encryption. 

Implement access controls, monitor for vulnerabilities, and keep systems up to date. If you operate in a hybrid or cloud environment, make sure security policies extend across all platforms.

#6. Optimize for performance and scalability

With your foundation in place, shift focus to IT infrastructure optimization. 

Look for ways to improve speed, reduce costs, and scale smarter, whether that’s through load balancing, resource reallocation, or cloud elasticity. 

How InvGate helps manage your IT infrastructure

InvGate has helped hundreds of organizations streamline their infrastructure oversight with InvGate Asset Management, a no-code, user-friendly platform built to centralize and simplify IT Asset Management. Whether you’re managing on-premise, hybrid, or cloud environments, it gives you full control and visibility over your infrastructure.

Here’s how InvGate Asset Management supports IT Infrastructure Management:

#1. Comprehensive infrastructure discovery and inventory

InvGate Asset Management automatically detects and inventories all IT assets (hardware, software, virtual, cloud, and IoT devices) using agent-based and agentless methods. This gives IT teams a real-time, complete view of the infrastructure.

#2. Hardware and software asset tracking with alerts

Track the condition, usage, and configuration of both hardware and software assets. With customizable health rules and alerts, IT teams can respond quickly to changes, risks, or issues like unauthorized software or expiring warranties.

#3. Full Asset Lifecycle and Cost Management

Manage assets from procurement to disposal while tracking costs, depreciation, and maintenance. This helps plan upgrades, stay within budget, and avoid unplanned downtime.

#4. Insights and optimization through dashboards and reports

Customizable dashboards and reports provide visibility into usage, health, and compliance. These insights support data-driven decisions and infrastructure optimization.

#5. CMDB and asset relationship mapping

Visualize how assets relate to each other through a built-in CMDB. This helps teams understand dependencies and assess the impact of changes.

#6. Workflow automation and ITSM integration

Automate routine tasks like status updates or license assignments. Integrated with InvGate Service Management, it connects assets with tickets and requests for faster resolution.

Best practices for an optimal IT infrastructure

Once your IT infrastructure is in place, managing it well is key to keeping everything stable, secure, and cost-effective. Here are some best practices to follow:

#1. Keep your infrastructure documentation up to date

Nobody likes writing documentation, but maintaining a clear and accurate record of all assets, configurations, and dependencies is important. This makes troubleshooting easier, supports audits, and helps new team members get up to speed faster.

#2. Monitor performance continuously

Manual monitoring won’t cut it. Use monitoring tools to track the health, usage, and availability of your systems. Real-time insights allow you to detect issues early and optimize performance before they impact users.

“You have to have something that's going to consistently discover and rediscover [...] because you just can't do this manually.”

Allen Dixon, Regional Head of Service and Operations Management Americas

Episode 62 of Ticket Volume - IT Podcast

#3. Select the right IT Asset Management (ITAM) tool

An ITAM platform like InvGate Asset Management helps you centralize asset tracking, automate Lifecycle Management, and gain full visibility into your infrastructure. It’s a key part of managing complexity as your environment grows.