Tag Archive for: Cloud Solution

5 questions to consider for a successful cloud migration

Cloud computing is very common these days and with good reason. From improving your business scalability to encouraging flexible working practices, the benefits of cloud computing are numerous. But if you are not already there, how do you execute a successful cloud migration. Before you move to the cloud, here are the 5 questions you should ask to make the transition as seamless as possible. 

Why move to the cloud?

While it’s true that around 96% of businesses use some form of cloud computing solution. It’s still important to know why you’re choosing the cloud in the first place. Perhaps you want to reduce costs, improve data security, reduce the expenses associated with maintaining IT equipment, or speed up workflows. 

Whatever your reasons, understand what you hope to achieve from cloud migration before you get started. This ensures that, for example, you don’t waste money and resources on solutions you simply don’t need. 

What kind of storage do I need?

Choosing the right cloud storage means choosing the appropriate storage for your unique business needs. Your IT service provider can help you with this, but when you’re researching cloud storage options, consider factors such as:

  • How often you’ll access the data
  • If the files are read-only or if employees will edit them frequently 
  • The required latency 

To help reduce costs, you can always choose cheaper storage tiers for data you rarely use or archived files. Don’t rush into a cloud solution – make sure it’s the most cost-effective and functional package for your business. 

Is all my business data being migrated? 

Chances are there’s no need to move all your business data to the cloud, at least not right away. To keep costs at a minimum, consider leaving historic data behind until a later date and only migrate the data you need on a daily basis. Migrating all your data can have a noticeable impact on your migration schedule and costs. Only move everything necessary for your business operations. 

If you’re unsure, always consult an IT professional. 

How to minimize downtime and keep the business running?

It’s vital that you keep your business operations moving during a cloud migration. Did you know, downtime costs businesses up to 14 hours and $1.55 million each year?

Ensure that you keep personnel fully informed of IT changes and provide whatever training they’ll need to get up to speed on a new system. Review your data migration periodically to ascertain how long it’ll take to complete the process and identify potential downtime costs before they become realities.  

How can I keep my data secure during a successful cloud migration?

A recent study revealed that 64% of respondents worry about data loss and leakage from the cloud. Since you’re responsible for data security at every stage of the migration process, you’ll want to ensure that you encrypt data for the move. 

You should also ensure that you’re clear on whether any firewalls will hinder your access to the data once it migrates. Understand how you’ll manage access privileges given that not all file permissions will transfer with the data. 

Bonus tip: once you’ve completed your data migration, check the data to ensure there aren’t any corrupted files and that everything moved over properly. To this end, it’s crucial that you move data to the cloud in stages so you can troubleshoot any issues before they arise. 

Moving to the cloud is a big step, but it needn’t be too stressful. For more information on cloud computing and devising a successful cloud migration strategy, contact the team today. 

Cybersecurity Strategies for the Cloud Environment

If you’re considering migrating to the cloud or you’ve already transitioned to a cloud platform, you should be aware of several security strategies to keep your business protected. While cybersecurity fundamentals remain the same, they need to be adapted for the unique security risks on the cloud. Here’s what you need to know to prioritize cloud security for your day-to-day operations.

Faster Isn’t Always Better

Whether you have an in-house IT team or you’ve partnered with a managed security service provider, your security group needs time to adapt to new challenges. While planning and deploying a cloud platform is a challenge in itself, securing your network represents its own series of challenges. While the emphasis may be to implement a cloud platform as quickly as possible, don’t make the mistake of demanding rapid deployment while sacrificing security.

When planning a cloud platform, make sure your security team has enough room and time to ensure your network is secure at every level before moving forward. After all, it’s much easier to work out security problems as you go than at the end of a project.

Figure Out What You Need

One of the strengths of a cloud platform is how it allows you to integrate all the tools your team uses everyday into one interface. At the same time, migrating to the cloud offers an ideal time to trim down your toolkit. If your team really doesn’t need specific tools, consider whether it’s worth migrating to the cloud. Having too many superfluous applications and services on the cloud can open up potential vulnerabilities. At the same time, reserving your cloud platform for mission-critical tasks streamlines performance and saves money on cloud resources.

Controlling Access

Another strength of a cloud solution is it allows your team to access vital data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection. While offering the added value of flexibility and mobility, cloud access also opens up a new set of security access challenges. When adopting a cloud platform, it’s more important than ever to enact security measures that limit user access and incorporate additional layers of identity verification.

Knowing precisely which users can access what on your cloud servers is crucial for successful cloud adoption, so user permissions need to be carefully curated. At the same time, because cloud platforms often can be accessed through any web browser, your team needs additional levels of security to prevent unauthorized access.

Integrating Clouds

The possibilities of the cloud are more expansive than ever before. From the simplicity of a public cloud solution to the intricacies of a hybrid cloud platform, your team can build a custom cloud specifically for their needs. However, integrating various cloud platforms presents a unique set of challenges. Ensuring your cloud environments integrate seamlessly without opening up any security vulnerabilities is a critical step to ensuring the long-term success of your cloud initiatives.

Springfield, MO, IT Support

If your business is ready to make the transition to the cloud for next-level functionality, you need a team of security experts to keep your operations protected. From around-the-clock threat monitoring to threat intelligence, PCnet’s security experts have the tools and knowledge to ensure your cloud platform remains secure at every level. Contact us today, and we’ll work with you to identify industry-specific threats and clarify your goals on the cloud, so you can empower your team with the latest productivity platform.