May 10, 2023
Cloud computing is a driving force in how businesses operate, allowing them to reduce IT expenses, increase efficiency, and innovate faster. Organizations everywhere are embracing the cloud; Zippia states that 94% of enterprises were using cloud services as of December 2022. The cloud enables success; according to a survey by Foundry, 60% of IT decision-makers felt that cloud capabilities helped them achieve increased and sustainable revenue.
Today’s fast-paced business environment requires speed, flexibility, and the ability to meet changing demands – all strengths of cloud computing. The cloud offers many other advantages, including rapid scalability, workforce mobility, data analytics, increased collaboration, and disaster recovery.
Cloud computing does have challenges, such as controlling costs, ensuring data privacy, and employing staff with the required expertise and experience. Organizations considering a move to the cloud must take the time to develop a strategy before migrating to maximize their return on investment.
Determining your business objectives and how cloud computing can help achieve them is crucial. For instance, a business may have compliance requirements to consider, such as HIPAA or CMMC. RapidScale states that 91% of small to medium-sized businesses reported that their cloud provider made it easier to meet government compliance requirements. Evaluating how the cloud can help your organization achieve its business objectives is foundational to developing an overall strategy.
Several cloud service providers are available, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. According to an article by Zippia, AWS is the market leader in the cloud infrastructure services market with a 32% share, followed by Microsoft Azure with a 20% share, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with a 9% share. Each of the providers has strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Microsoft Azure integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft tools, making it ideal for businesses using Microsoft products. AWS has a strong reputation and a wide range of services. GCP is more cost-effective and features strong machine learning and big data management.
There are three cloud deployment models: public, private, and hybrid. Like cloud providers, there are advantages to each deployment model. Public cloud offers increased agility, scalability, and availability, with lower costs due to the economy of scale. Private cloud offers more control, customization, and potential increases in security. A hybrid model offers the flexibility to leverage either model’s strengths while avoiding some drawbacks.
It’s essential to implement cloud security measures like encrypting data, implementing access control measures, and regularly monitoring your cloud environment. According to IBM’s 2022 Security X-Force Cloud Threat Landscape Report, penetration testing indicated that cloud identities were excessively privileged in 99% of the cases analyzed. Additionally, the report cited a 540% increase in vulnerabilities in the past six years and a 28% increase in the past year. Proactively addressing items like configuration and user access will reduce unnecessary risk.
Cloud-native technologies are explicitly designed for the cloud environment and can help businesses innovate faster. Adopting cloud-native technologies such as containers, Kubernetes, and serverless computing can help businesses scale faster. In addition to scale and innovation, they offer cost efficiencies and a better user experience. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 85% of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle and will be able to fully execute their digital strategies without the use of cloud-native architectures and technologies.
A cloud governance framework includes developing policies and procedures for cloud adoption, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. A good cloud governance framework will improve business continuity, optimize resource use and performance, and minimize security risks.
Dewpoint’s cloud experts are here to guide you on your cloud journey. Whether you’re looking to harness the power of the Microsoft Cloud or build resiliency in your business with a disaster recovery solution, Dewpoint will demonstrate why “Making IT Personal” is our motto for delivering success for our clients. Contact us today to chat with an expert.