Cloud computing has been receiving a lot of well-deserved attention because it enables businesses to store, manage, and process data over an Internet connection without investing in the hardware or software needed to set up and run their own on-site datacenters. While the cloud may be all the rage right now, there is some confusion about its effective use, which has unfortunately given rise to several myths, some of which are dispelled below:
The most common myth by far is that your data isn’t safe in the cloud, and that the cloud is more susceptible to security breaches than on-premises IT systems. Actually cloud platforms are required to be safer than
Cloud providers are answerable to multiple regulatory bodies, so they embed several security features within their platforms to fulfil numerous compliance requirements. This suggests that data in the cloud is probably more secure than in a company’s own datacenters, which aren’t required to meet the same standards. 9 in 10 businesses that implement cloud solutions experience an improvement in security.
Many people are under the impression that physical control of data implies data security, and since the cloud is an invisible platform that they can’t touch or feel, their data is therefore unsafe. However, several security breaches at on-premises datacenters in the recent past indicate that top-notch data security is more dependent on who has access to the data than its physical location. That’s why it’s critical to set up reliable data encryption and keep checks on who is allowed to access your information. Both encryption and permissions can easily be managed through the cloud.
Another common myth is that cloud security is far more complex to maintain than on-site data center security, and that its implementation requires new security tools. Security issues in both cases are actually quite similar – SQL injections, firewall configurations, penetration testing, VPNs, and so on. So even though you’ll need to implement a few tools for cloud-specific concerns, existing practices and procedures for security maintenance can still be used with minor adjustments.
Migrating your data to the cloud doesn’t necessarily mean that you must adopt a public cloud solution. Companies can choose between public or private cloud solutions. A private cloud infrastructure exists on your company’s intranet and its components are entirely dedicated to your company. This means you can customize compute, storage, and networking, but all management and maintenance is your responsibility. In a public cloud solution, on the other hand, your data is on an infrastructure that is shared by multiple businesses and is owned, operated, and maintained by a service provider. Hybrid cloud platforms also exist that are a combination of the two. Factors like cost and control are taken into consideration before choosing one of these options.
Adopting cloud computing does cause a significant reduction in capital expenses, but it also:
Cloud computing is a safe and cost-effective alternative to maintaining complex on-site IT infrastructure. To learn more about how to plan and execute your organization’s move to the cloud, please contact Systems.