Most would agree that the flexibility and cost savings associated with moving to the cloud are reason enough to make the change. However, “the cloud” still brings about a lot of confusion to many. Because of the overwhelming amount of information available, much of it contradictory, not many truly understand exactly what cloud computing means or what it entails. Here are 3 common cloud myths – debunked!
Myth 1 – When I move to the cloud, I have to move everything
One of the most common myths about the cloud is that it’s an “all or nothing” play. Although there may be some solutions that are all-encompassing, it is more often a hybrid approach. For instance, beginning the cloud migration process with an application, like email with Office 365. Migrating from on-premise Exchange to Exchange Online eliminates the cost of hardware. It also eliminates the need to upgrade license versions of Exchange when required, because the monthly Office 365 subscription is always on the latest version.
By moving just one application to the cloud typically allows companies to get a feel for how their business works in a cloud environment, before moving completely.
Myth 2 – Having my data on-premise is more secure than the cloud
Security, regardless of whether on-premises or in the cloud, is a very important factor when it comes to technology. With new ransomware and viruses constantly emerging, it is critical to protect business data from becoming susceptible to these threats. Cloud computing is often perceived as a less secure option when compared to on-premise solutions. However, maintaining high-level security on-prem can be very demanding, and many times expensive versus the cloud.
For example, cloud applications like Office 365 have security features built in and real-time updates are integrated into the framework. So you’re always working from the latest versions, with the best possible protection and security. The ultimate goal is for businesses to be able to access their information from anywhere, on any device, at any time. The cloud includes advanced processes and procedures such as backup and recovery solutions, so your business can spend less time fixing and more time selling.
Centrality’s CompleteCloud deploys a high level of physical and electronic security because of its Private Cloud environment. A simple, yet well engineered environment has drastically reduced the surface area of attack:
- SSAE 16 II Data Centers
- Physical Security with Biometric Access and Video Surveillance
- Server & Edge Firewalls
- Intrusion Detection Software
- Anti-Malware
- Anti-Spam
- Hardened OS Builds
- Standard Secure Domain Policies
Myth 3: When my business moves to the cloud, I will no longer have control over my data
The third cloud myth is one of the more frequent questions we hear when speaking with customers considering a cloud solution. Your data is still your data, even if it is not physically on a server in your office. When working with a CSP (Cloud Service Provider), ask them about where the data center is located, and if it is a public or private cloud environment. In a public cloud, multiple tenants share storage, processing, and other cloud computing elements. Although tenants are separated virtually within a public cloud, it is highly recommended to utilize a private cloud platform.
Read CompleteCloud-vs-Workspaces Whitepaper for a comparison between public cloud vs. private cloud.
If your business is looking to move to a cloud-based solution, whether just an application or your entire IT infrastructure, contact Centrality today for a FREE cloud assessment.
