Cloud technology makes it easier for companies to access, manage, and secure business data. Despite these advantages, however, some businesses in Vancouver continue to have reservations about public cloud migration, especially with regard to legacy data. These are some of the biggest reasons behind their hesitation:
Cybersecurity concerns
The public cloud has become increasingly secure over the years, but it has by no means become impenetrable. This is why some businesses fear that their legacy data wouldn’t be sufficiently protected in the public cloud.
The good news is that cloud service providers (CSPs) are usually quick to adopt countermeasures against the latest cyberthreats. These measures include:
- Encryption – renders data unreadable and unusable to unauthorized users
- Multifactor authentication – requires users to present two or more proofs of their identity before they can access data, frustrating would-be data thieves
- Data backups – replicates sensitive data, which can then be booted in case the original files are deleted or compromised
Cloud service providers (CSPs) are usually quick to adopt countermeasures against the latest cyberthreats
Control
Public cloud servers are owned by third-party CSPs; these CSPs can technically look at their clients' data but are legally barred from doing exactly that. Even so, some companies feel uncomfortable about the possibility of anyone besides themselves being able to access their legacy data.
It is therefore imperative for businesses to work with reputable CSPs that are known for being trustworthy. Reviews from former and present clients are often available online and can say so much about a CSP's work ethic and commitment to their customers' privacy.
Organizations seeking greater control over their cloud data can also choose to adopt private clouds or hybrid clouds instead. These types of cloud offer users more customization options, enabling them to control how their data is secured and who can access their sensitive data, among others.
Complexity
Older data is usually more difficult to migrate. This may be because the data is not structured properly or it's stored in an outdated format that's not compatible with cloud-based applications. Therefore, migrating legacy data often requires high levels of IT expertise that the average in-house IT team may not possess. Unfortunately, migration errors can result in not just the deletion of crucial data, but also make the rest of the company’s files more susceptible to compromise.
Companies can seek the assistance of CSPs, some of which have dedicated migration specialists to help clients with this matter. Alternatively, businesses can also turn to managed IT services providers (MSPs) like Quicktech. Our team is composed of experts in various fields of IT who can help make even the most complex migrations succeed.
Cost
Admittedly, the initial costs of cloud migration and adoption can be quite expensive for some companies. Upon seeing the bill, some businesses may opt to abandon migration altogether and keep on storing their legacy data in in-house servers, notwithstanding the drawbacks.
Companies need to look beyond the initial costs and focus on the long-term benefits of cloud migration, among which are lower costs. When they leverage the cloud, businesses do not need to house or manage their own servers, letting them save on costs related to the required real estate, power, cooling, and heating.
Compliance
Companies that belong to highly regulated industries must abide by regulations, such as Canada’s PHIPA and the United States’s HIPAA for healthcare organizations, that enforce rules on how customer data must be handled and secured. Most of these regulations cover data stored in the cloud. Noncompliance can result in lawsuits, heavy penalties, and even reputational damage.
For some businesses, migrating legacy data to the cloud is tantamount to entrusting their compliance to third parties — a risk they are not willing to take. Instead, they would rather keep their own data and handle compliance themselves.
Businesses can ensure compliance while reaping the benefits offered by the cloud by partnering with reputable CSPs. Ideally, they should choose a CSP that has done business with other companies in their industry. This guarantees that the CSP has met regulatory requirements and can help their other clients do the same.
Businesses looking to stay efficient and competitive should consider migrating even their legacy data to the cloud. Our IT experts at Quicktech can help you navigate the complexities of cloud migration and adoption and enable you to enjoy the full benefits of the cloud. Learn more about cloud technology by downloading this free eBook today.