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6 Common Misconceptions About Cloud Computing
For how great the cloud can be for redefining your business’s IT processes, there’s a large amount of misinformation out there. Here, we’ll dispel six of the most common misconceptions about cloud computing and why the strategy might be a good fit for your organization.
1. You Choose Between Public and Private
The choice between public and private cloud servers has been a distinction that businesses were once forced to make, but no longer. The future of cloud computing is hybrid clouds composed of two (or more) distinct servers. These hybrids allow portability between different servers and flexibility in workload management.
2. Everything Needs to Be In the Cloud
In most cases, no. While full migrations to the cloud are possible, most businesses benefit from using both on-premise and the cloud simultaneously, leveraging the advantages of each as needed.
3. The Cloud Is Less Secure
This myth is pervasive because it appeals to common sense: Publicly-hosted servers would be less secure than on-premises architecture, right?
In fact, the opposite is true. Cloud architecture offers several key security advantages:
- Virtual data backups if on-premise information is lost;
- Digital storage immune to natural disasters or damages that may affect physical servers;
- Verified security protocols from companies whose single purpose is to provide safe, secure data storage.
No system is completely foolproof, but cloud security shouldn’t be a sticking point in the decision to migrate. And on that note…
4. A Cloud Migration Is Difficult
Yes and no. Companies with outdated servers and old-fashioned hardware won’t be able to immediately move to cloud-based architecture, but the updating process isn’t as difficult as it sounds. With the help of a third-party cloud services provider, nearly any business can migrate to the cloud with minimal downtime.
5. Cloud Hosting Is Bad for the Environment
This myth grew alongside the boom in data hosting and processing centers that the cloud requires. Yes, public clouds rely on large server farms, but when you compare the carbon output of a dozen businesses working on cloud architecture to a dozen businesses hosting their own IT storage, the choice is obvious. Cloud providers build their architecture from the ground-up to be efficient and continually invest in power-saving technologies.
6. Cloud Is Always Cheaper
“Always” is a strong word; there are costs associated with installation and migration, and premium cloud storage solutions that offer higher levels of storage and service will increase costs as well. However, it’s often cheaper due to the increased flexibility it provides. With cloud hosting, companies can adjust the amount of computing power they use based on their budgetary needs.
When the system is up and running, most companies find that they save money in the long run. Many cloud providers offer pay-as-you-go plans that let businesses pay for only what they use, and thanks to the shared nature of the cloud, they can avoid the cost of purchasing and maintaining their own infrastructure.
The Cloud Is the Future of Computing
For all the misinformation out there about the cloud, one fact holds true: It’s the future of computing. It’s not a fad, and it’s not a gimmick. It’s a new way of addressing your business’s IT needs that can yield serious benefits over time. Look at your current architecture and weigh the pros and cons of a cloud migration. And if you need help assessing your system against the current industry standards, contact Urgenci and we’ll give you a hand.
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