While cloud computing is by no means a new concept, many organizations are still weighing the pros and cons of moving their content to the cloud. With myriad options and providers available – hybrid and multi-cloud, public or private – there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, but there are considerations that apply regardless of the tech stack.
If you’re pursuing a cloud migration for hosting applications – or if it’s even on your roadmap – here’s how to research and prepare for moving your systems to the cloud.
1. Security
“Is the cloud secure?” This is one of the biggest concerns among those with the cloud on their mind. Moving your data into the cloud means storing your information on someone else’s server, out of your control, and that sounds scary. Even though moving to the cloud actually boosts security in many cases, (as most breaches are a result of an internal mistake or lapse in judgment), you should still do your research. Some good questions to ask are:
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Does the provider have sufficient backups in place?
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Are they firewall-protected?
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How often are they audited?
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What sort of physical security measures are utilized at their facilities?
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2. Which documents go to the cloud
Decide which department would be most suited to pilot your move to the cloud, and then pick which documents need to go first. If you’re choosing a provider that charges according to the amount of space being used, be prudent in choosing what actually needs to be in the cloud and what doesn’t. Also, consider the security and compliance requirements of the files in question, and choose a provider who knows about and understands them.
3. Service Level Agreements
Your SLA with your cloud service provider (CSP) is pivotal in guaranteeing you’re getting what you need. Make sure you understand what is outlined in the contract, which should include information on the availability, security, and ownership of your data, and state your ability to switch cloud providers as you see fit. Here’s a more comprehensive guide on SLAs specific to cloud computing and hosting.
4. Provider Flexibility
If your organization is smaller, most providers will probably be able to meet your information storage needs, but as your organization grows, you’ll need to make sure your cloud provider has the resources to handle your changing requirements. If you choose a provider that can’t handle your growth, you may have to move your data all over again, this time to a different cloud.
Moving to the cloud is an exciting and rewarding step for many organizations, but it’s something you’ll want to do right the first time. By staying informed and choosing the right provider, you’ll already be heading in the right direction.
At DataBank, we strive to offer the best value and service with cloud hosting for content management solutions (our specialty is Hyland OnBase). Included migrations, maximum storage, free upgrades every two years and more.
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