Cloud security continues to develop with industry giants and greater public acceptance, but there remains a sense of vulnerability to single-source data storage and vendor lock-in. Mitigate these risks and dampen cloud-phobia by spreading security and data responsibility amongst multiple providers. Deploying a multi-cloud strategy provides serious benefits. These digital transformation initiatives are modernizing traditional business practices.
Why Multi-Cloud?
During your business’ transition to any cloud-hosted service, your likely first concern is security and the provider’s reliability. An excellent method to avoid having all of your data eggs in one cloud basket is utilizing multiple cloud services. Some benefits of switching to a multi-cloud strategy could be:
- Reduced service disruptions
- Reduced the risk of price changes
- Multiple disaster recovery strategies
- Better position for negotiating rates
Migrating your business to a cloud-hosted service is a complex endeavor but doesn’t have to be a headache. Work with professionals who specialize in infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Many enterprises and agencies are opting for a multi-cloud system to layer suitable cloud-services for extra security; IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS can be efficiently combined from multiple vendors.
Multi-Cloud Preparation
Preparing your business for a multi-cloud system is essential before a switch. Is everyone with access already fully competent with a basic cloud setup? Jumping straight into a layered multi-cloud infrastructure could prove disastrous to your workflow and overall IT and business success. Some details you should consider in your multi-cloud strategy, according to Amin Lalji (cloud security instructor at Learning Tree International), include:
- Load balancing
- Health monitoring
- Latency
- Code deployment
- Security
- Staff skill levels
Once you’ve mastered Cloud 101 with your team, everyone will feel at ease with a multi-cloud transition.
Considering Costs
It’s not always more affordable to use a multi-cloud strategy, but it can be. Take advantage of cloud-competition; some providers try to outdo each other with special deals and pricing. Without proper planning, you could just as easily wind up paying way more than you should. There are a lot of variables with different vendors’ pricing plans, and if you’re not paying close attention and actively optimizing costs in the beginning, it can hurt long-term.
Security
Just because all of your information is on some securely backed clouds doesn’t mean security is no longer your responsibility. Equally important to your cloud provider’s security is how you manage user identification and authentication.
Continue to use the standards and methods you used prior multi-cloud or cloud-computing in general. For example, ensuring your team downloads software and content from only trusted resources.
With all of the benefits of a multi-cloud strategy and plenty of cloud service vendors that can work seamlessly together, the trend may be worth trying. Contact one of our cloud specialists today at 859-757-0895 and find out what cloud solutions are best for your organization.