Definition
Infrastructure and application modernization is the strategic process of updating legacy IT systems and software to leverage current technologies and best practices. This involves replacing outdated hardware, re-architecting monolithic applications into microservices, and adopting cloud native approaches. It matters because it enhances agility, scalability, security, and cost efficiency, enabling organizations to respond faster to market changes and customer demands. For example, migrating a company's on-premises data center to a cloud platform like AWS or Azure is a common modernization effort. This differs from simple upgrades which often maintain the core architecture, whereas modernization fundamentally transforms it. Concepts related to infrastructure and application modernization frequently appear in domains covering cloud computing, security, and software development on certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.