3 Things You Need to Know Before Using the Cloud for Your Business
There is no question that cloud computing brings huge advantages to practically any business. There’s no need to ever buy a server and upgrading software is a breeze. In fact, there are many tech companies worth millions of dollars that do not have a single data center or server closet. This is particularly true in the fast-growing Asian cloud market. But for all its benefits, the cloud isn’t magical – and many of its supposed disadvantages arise from when users lack some basic information. These are the three main factors to consider before implementing the cloud for your business.
This may spring from the democratization that comes with the cloud. Although the technology provides end users with access to powerful tools, it also means that general users without technical skills are often charged with decisions without a clear understanding of what cloud technology can and cannot do. It is important to note that this can cost a company a lot of money in the long run.
I’d like to look at some misconceptions many users have about cloud technology, in the interests of illustrating what you need to know before implementing cloud technology initiatives in your business.
Specify how data is deleted/purged from the system.
One of the most common uses for cloud technology is to back up critical data and help companies guard against a potential disaster. Most cloud vendors can provide these services at a low cost and have optimized their technology to ensure that data will always be saved at a secure location and that it can be recovered quickly and effectively. However, making sure that data is deleted or purged properly is not high on the list of concerns for most cloud technology vendors. While this is great if you need to access older data that was lost or deleted by mistake, it can be a security concern. Take for example, GMO Cloud, they along with their cloud infrastructure services, they offer a plausible security solution that protects data from breaches, downtime, loss or any disaster.
Remember, when you delete a record that is stored on the cloud, you have no guarantee that every single version of that record has been deleted as well. This can be a problem if your company ever goes through a legal process with opposing forensic experts going through data that was thought to have been purged from the system. To prevent this from happening, it is important to make sure that you have a clear policy regarding data deletion from the cloud and that management of sensitive data is handled specifically.
Dedicate staff to handle data in the cloud.
Many companies make the mistake of putting all of their data in the hands of a cloud vendor and not hiring IT staff at all. After all, paying for the service ensures that your data is handled by a professional. However, companies should always have an analyst or administrator on hand to manage such data, thus removing many of the problems regularly encountered.
The role of the dedicated staff member would be to simply determine what goes to the cloud and what doesn’t. This person would also be in charge of organizing the data into logical directory trees and divisions with smart naming conventions, handling cross-system data operations, and establishing clear guidelines for back-ups and any other cloud operations. Even if one of the main reasons you have implemented cloud technology is to save on staff, you will always want someone reserved for this role. Establish a dedicated position or rotate existing staff into the job on a regular basis.
Manage your cloud as you would manage IT.
Although the higher ups in a business will tout cloud technology as a cost saving measure that solves an IT overhead problem, the fact is that the cloud is only effective if you manage it as an external IT component. This allows a company to take full advantage of the cloud’s unique capabilities, such as creating custom code, integrating with other data sources, and creating customized reports, dashboards, and other components.
Be Part of Our Cloud Conversation
Our articles are written to provide you with tools and information to meet your IT and cloud solution needs. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Guest Author:
Nida Rasheed is a freelance writer and owner of an outsourcing company, Nida often finds herself wanting to write about the subjects that are closest to her heart. She lives in Islamabad, Pakistan and can be found on Twitter @nidarasheed
