For businesses in the 21st century, migrating to the cloud is a question of “when” not “if.” The benefits and power of cloud computing are essential to working in the digital age, especially with the rise of hybrid and remote work in recent years. You probably already use the cloud to some extent in your workplace. However, that doesn’t mean that the transition to more cloud-based solutions doesn’t come with its own unique challenges and problems to overcome. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of these challenges and their solutions.
Security and privacy
Security and privacy are sometimes thought of as some of the biggest weaknesses of cloud-based technology. The cloud can theoretically be accessed from any device anywhere in the world, which is what makes it a great tool for your business. However, with ease of access comes greater security risks. Breaches of cloud security can create expensive and time consuming problems for your business’s operations. Fortunately, though, cloud service providers are aware of these risks, and most strive to create and implement strategies and technologies to keep the cloud as safe as possible. By picking a service provider with strong security measures and taking a few steps on the users’ end to avoid security risks such as phishing, you can enjoy the convenience of the cloud while mitigating the risks.
Vendor lock-in
Vendor lock-in is another risk to watch out for when migrating to the cloud or a new service provider. The term refers to any situation where a client becomes dependent on a vendor because it is not possible or feasible to use another service provider without incurring great costs. This decreases your flexibility and leaves you unable to find the best service for your needs. Be sure to research any vendors you’re considering carefully and to plan your cloud infrastructure so you’re not reliant on any one service provider.
Monitoring costs
While the cloud is often much more cost efficient than on-site hardware, there can be some unexpected expenses depending on your provider and your usage. In addition, the process of migrating to and integrating the cloud can be costly. Once again, avoiding this comes down to careful planning and research of your service provider. Once you have a service, you should also be closely monitoring your usage to find ways to optimize your efficiency and use of resources.
Simply put, the cloud offers numerous unique opportunities for growth, but with that comes unique pitfalls. Getting the most out of your cloud requires the kind of expertise, experience, and industry connections which Broadline Solutions can provide.
