You will have no trouble hearing about all of the benefits that cloud computing offers modern businesses (of which there are many), however, you don’t often hear about the drawbacks that come with it. By and large, transitioning to the cloud is well-worth your consideration. However, before you do go rushing in with the first cloud service provider you come across, you should be aware of the risks involved. Here’s what you need to know.
The disadvantages of cloud computing (and how to overcome them)
Vulnerability to cyberattacks
While switching to the cloud does provide a number of security advantages, even the biggest and perceivably ‘untouchable’ companies have been subject to cybercrime in the past. As such, the potential for a security breach is something that you need to be aware of.
How can you overcome such a challenge? Take extra care when selecting your chosen cloud service provider. Yes, consider the cost-saving potential and productivity benefits, but let security be your main selling point. Ask how sophisticated is their security and how well will your data be protected.
Dependence on network connectivity
One of the biggest potential downsides of cloud computing is ‘downtime’. In order to minimise the risk of experiencing downtime, you should look to work only with the very best cloud services in Australia.
While server outage is a fact of life for any modern business relying on cloud computing, by choosing a cloud service provider with strong network connectivity and availability, you’ll significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing unplanned downtime – and indeed the duration of downtime in such an event.
Vendor lock-in
Some cloud service providers will lock their clients into long contracts that can be highly restrictive. For example, if you wish to migrate from one cloud platform to another for whatever reason, you may face support issues, configuration complexities, and additional expenses.
Negotiate well and look to Cloud service providers who offer flexible contract terms. At the least, look for considerable discounts in exchange for long-term commitments.
Lack of support
Many cloud computing companies do not provide a great deal of IT support to their customers and largely expect them to rely on ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for the help that they need.
Again, let this be a contributing factor when making your final decision. Speak with your prospective Cloud service providers and determine what level of support you will receive throughout.
No redundancy
A cloud server is not backed up. In other words, if in the (highly unlikely and unfortunate) event that your cloud service provider is subject to a disaster and all of their data servers are destroyed, all of your data will be destroyed along with it. As such, it is worth considering not letting go of all your on-site servers and staff and keeping some of your business-critical data backed up just in case.