There used to be a time when revolutionary technologies were exclusive only to large and cash-rich enterprises. But this has all changed with the advent of cloud computing services. Now enterprises of all sizes have access to the cloud which can provide them with a better way to analyze market trends, help streamline and optimize their processes, and give them an edge over their competitors.
Harris Delchamps, director of integrated solution sales at RJ Young, notes that cloud computing solutions are vital to a business's success. Cloud environments allow for flexibility that traditional data centers lack. With the cloud, an enterprise stays relevant, modern, and competitive — and more and more enterprises are being made aware of this. In fact, research shows that almost 80% of small businesses in the US will employ cloud computing services by the end of this year.
However, secure cloud migration is not a walk in the park — special considerations must be made so your business can maximize the cloud’s services. With that being said, here are a couple of risks in cloud migration that you should be aware of before moving your business to the cloud platform.
Accept That the Cloud Will Redefine Your Operations
While it’s true that your IT department and security team will mostly be the ones in charge of the cloud migration strategy, the cloud transcends job roles and office hierarchies. Moreover, cloud computing will inevitably transform your operations and the duties of the ones that carry out these crucial processes.
However, Dr. Stacy Hollins, an associate professor at the Apple Distinguished School awarded Maryville University, highlights the relationship between people and technology, saying, “Few industries exist that don’t rely on both.” Some enterprises are wary of cloud adoption, as they’re afraid that their operations will lose human touch and feel foreign to their customers. However, the cloud’s data and applications are used to enhance operations — helping humanize existing processes and make work more satisfying for the whole team. So, accept that the cloud will change how your business operates and find a way for it to positively affect all aspects of your business long term.
Know Which Cloud Computing Services Will Work Best for Your Business
Before dipping your toes into the cloud, it’s best to fully assess where your business stands. Doing this can help you determine any security and compliance requirements, operational bottlenecks, and processing issues that might hinder moving to the cloud. Cyber risk management can prove to be very useful in situations like this, as your business heads into uncharted territories. Third-party automation tools like CyberStrong can integrate cloud security risk management for your business.
Once you have a clear picture of your business's strengths and weaknesses, it will be easier to understand the kind of applications to the cloud that your enterprise might benefit from. The cloud is an amalgamation of different technologies — hardware, software, and capabilities that work together to make it possible to run programs, platforms, and storage solutions over the internet. It hosts countless services that come with a price, so being certain of your business's needs will save you energy, time, and money.
Each enterprise has different needs, and business leaders need to be aware of these to make migrating to the cloud seamless. An easier transition to the cloud can prove to be pivotal for many businesses, as a university study points out that an effective shift to the cloud will help business leaders focus on business process management.
Figure Out What You Want Out of the Cloud
More than just improving your business's technological capabilities, migrating your business to the cloud allows you to take advantage of key processes to achieve your goals. The cloud gets more technologically advanced every day, and this will subsequently impact your business for the better.
That’s why it’s crucial for business leaders to know what they want out of the cloud’s resources. From enhancing reliability and scalability to streamlining key operations, having set goals will help business leaders maximize cloud computing services and confirm the worth of their chosen cloud vendor.
For business leaders who don’t know where to start, asking the whole team for input can be incredibly helpful. The cloud has the potential to transform your entire enterprise, and your employees are the ones who will mainly deal with the technology — especially those under the IT department. Another great jump-off point when setting goals is thinking of what the cloud can do for your customers. So, be sure to put yourself in your customer’s shoes and ask yourself how the cloud will enhance how they experience your services.
