Cloud computing as a cost saving solution has been actively promoted as the ultimate “cure-for-all” storage, productivity and space saving solution for the enterprise sector. The rising costs of Information Systems is something that all growing businesses and their IT staff has been plagued with for a while now.
But we all know that there’s no one perfect storage solution. The current cloud options, although more affordable as well as being maintenance free, is not without its risks. The biggest issue which needs to be taken into account remains the security risks which businesses face once they’ve decided to move all their applications, storage and sensitive data to the cloud.
So what are the best safeguards to avoid these risks. Before that’s explored, here are your options which are available for enterprise based Cloud Computing.
Cloud computing, when defined as a term, is a service of set pooled computing resources which are delivered strictly over the Internet. Payment for this service is usually made by subscription, thus making it an expense rather than a capital cost.
What cloud computing does is it will immediately reduce your hard costs, such as the in-house server storage expenditure, while the processing cycles are made much more affordable and accessible.
But other than complete exclusivity in some cases when it comes to cloud storage, there are commonly a number of different clients, completely unrelated to your industry, who you may be sharing the same physical virtual server space with.
Three Types Of Cloud Computing
There are three distinct and defined cloud computing storage options which are available for businesses of all sizes. They are private, public and hybrid cloud computing.
• A private cloud computing solution refers to your own exclusive dedicated private storage space which belongs strictly to you, and no one else. This offers the highest security as well as privacy possible. As a result, this is the most expensive solution.
• Public cloud computing is more affordable, but the space is shared with other businesses who are completely unrelated to you.
• A hybrid cloud computing solution consists of 2 or more clouds which are unique, but are bound and used together. It may even at times be operated by the same cloud computing storage service.
Security Still The Biggest Concern
A survey which was recently conducted placed security as the biggest concern by their users when it came to enterprise cloud computing. So listed are ways on how you can take security precautions before you jump in.
Make Sure That You Shop Around
As security is the main concern, it’s best and recommended that you do your your homework and due diligence when shopping around for the best suitable cloud provider solution to fit your needs.
Don’t be drawn into a sense of false safety by going with a large “brand” name solution. You may discover that you’ll get much better security as well as service from a smaller provider.
So take the time and review all of the various vendors, their security audits and their service-level agreements. Make sure that you get everything in writing, and always keep in mind that when it comes to cloud security, or anything else for that matter, that you usually get what you pay for.
Most companies will be faced with the exact same temptation of cost savings when it comes to the cloud, as they did in the past with their internal networks. The usual thinking is to always skimp a bit when it comes to security.
So it’s recommended that you don’t succumb towards the idea that just a firewall is good enough to protect your data, you should under no circumstances be trying to save on cloud security.
Cloud security is the one factor which is out of your hands and you or the service can’t control. You never know when, if, who or what may decide to attack the virtual cloud service.
Make sure that you compare the cloud service provider’s contract to check if it complies with all of the regulatory requirements of your business. The provider should acknowledge these details in writing, stating their responsibilities to fully protect your data.
These contracts should stipulate that the cloud provider completely understands the type of data which they’re dealing with. They should also guarantee your complete protection while ensuring that they’ll immediately notify you if there is a breach or any suspected incidents regarding your data. Also, if a security incident does occur, that the cloud service provider agrees to fully cooperate with any subsequent investigation.
Checking The Cloud Vendors Security
The cloud computing vendor’s internal security as well as all of their policies and protocols should be thoroughly inspected and assured as carefully as possible before you committing to a contract.
Their policies are strict to the point that your insurance carrier may insist that you do so in written form, along with they requesting other measures as well. One other issue which may be raised are the actual costs between the various cloud options available and the cost of keeping your current technology resources in-house.
So it’s best to be as paranoid as possible regarding all of the cloud service providers. The reason why it’s called “cloud” computing is because you’re not able to see directly inside it or know where it’s located.
Doing Your Homework On The Various Cloud Services
You may decide to trust a certain cloud service just because of their familiar brand name, or that their office is located just around the block from where you are.
Then sometime later, after you’re locked into a contract, you discover that this particular cloud service stores all of your critical data on servers which are located in a remote third-world country where the economy, the electrical, or their moral codes are not quite up to standards that you’re familiar or comfortable with.
So when deciding on a complete and full-service cloud provider, make sure that the service offers all of the processes, management and the security rigors which you need and meets your standards.
There are cloud computing providers which offers enterprise level solutions that completely tailors and integrates with your service management requirements and your security and financial systems needs. This making their cloud solution a vital working partner of your overall infrastructure.