Although cloud technology is becoming increasingly popular, many companies today still resist moving their legacy systems and on-premise servers to cloud-based solutions. These insecurities about cloud-computing services can range from concerns about security to the costs associated to these solutions. Decisions made regarding your organization’s tech infrastructure must be made with great care and proper information. However, many of the concerns regarding cloud technology are based on common misconceptions that are mostly untrue. In today’s blog, we’d like to a look at the most common cloud “myths”.
Security Myths: The Cloud is Unsafe and Cloud Security is Too Complex
This is the first myth that needs to be debunked because it is the most commonly perceived misconception about cloud technology. There are often two big cloud security discussions: one has to do with breaches in public clouds and the other one is regarding the complexity of cloud security. The first concern is influenced by the fact that servers are not located on-premise, feeding the notion that data is no longer under the company’s control. Additionally, the word “public” in “public cloud” makes it feel like anyone can just walk in and take whatever they want. This is, of course, far from the truth.
The fact is that public cloud breaches have been few and far between; most security breaches still happen on on-premise systems. Strong data security has nothing to do with the proximity of the servers; it comes from strong compliance and governance, constant monitoring, and strict access rights. The largest cloud providers make heavy investments in security as this is one of the strongest selling points they have.
However, there is an additional issue to point out here: security is not completely the responsibility of the cloud provider. Security processes, needs, and standards ultimately need to be defined and enforced by the company and its CIO. The same goes for cloud security. If a security standard was not fulfilled by the cloud vendor, causing increased risk for a breach, then it’s up to the CIO to either find a vendor who can meet the company’s needs, or a solutions provider that can help with customized integrations. Furthermore, standards and accepted practices which govern how users will safely access the cloud must be in place.
Regarding the complexity of cloud security, the truth is that information security has never been simple. Moving to the cloud will require an effort in re-thinking operational processes as well as introducing new work strategies and dynamics. While cloud and hybrid environments certainly function differently from on-premise infrastructures, this does not mean they are automatically more complex. It is simply the same procedure that happens with every shift in technology.
Cost Myths: The Cloud Is Always Cheaper and is a Fix-it-All Solution
There is a big difference between the statement “the cloud is more cost-effective” and “the cloud is cheaper”. For example, buying a knockoff pocket knife is definitely cheaper upfront, but the original swiss-army knife will probably last a lifetime, making it the more cost-effective purchase. While it is a fact that 82% of companies indicate they have saved money moving to the cloud, it is important to note that effective cost-management comes from proper strategy and implementation and not from simply moving to the cloud.
A great by benefit to cloud solutions is the fact that they are subscription-based services often based on usage (Acumatica) or a per-user license (Microsoft Dynamics, Azure). Maintenance and updates are also handled by the provider which means companies save money in support and server upkeep fees. However, it is important to note that choosing a cloud solution means your company must adapt to changes, re-train staff, and sometimes look for customized solutions that fit their specific needs. Depending on a company’s workload, industry, and size, the costs of implementing a cloud solution can be initially high. In conclusion, when cloud technology is deployed with a proper strategy and clear business goals, it can be a highly adaptable, cost-effective, and flexible solution.
You can find out more about common cloud myths in this blog post by Acumatica. You can also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for news and information on Cloud Solutions!
