Going to the cloud is in. It’s flexible, cost-effective and it allows you to provision your IT resources. Needless to mention, it’s easy to get started with, disengages you from the need to manage highly demanding IT resources and outsource most of the IT management – cloud back-up administration and management, in this case -- to vendors for whom IT management is core business. You can’t jump in with two hands and feet while looking to have cloud back-up management since there’s plenty you need to consider. Here are at least five aspects you need to look into:
What type of data needs cloud back-up?
Cloud back-up runs on a flat filing system with an inability to make any changes to data real-time – the only way you can update data is to replace the previously stored data. Also, not all types of data can be moved to the cloud since you have to consider how critical the data is for your business. Data pertaining to finances, customers and other such business critical data might not be the best lot to store on the cloud. Also, some types of data require constant management while other kinds of data need one-time attention.
Data transfer bottlenecks
Not all vendors and cloud services are created equal – various vendors deploy varying technology, data writing systems and protocols to render their services and that would mean that different vendors you choose would back your data at different rates. Yet another aspect that you’d have to consider about cloud back-up is the data transfer restrictions – usually with limits on volume of data.
Service up-time
One of the most important considerations you need to look into while considering cloud back-up is the level of service up-time. The acceptable level of up-time guarantee is usually 99.99% and anything less won’t do. You will also need to consider that your business data is stored and distributed across all the geographic areas where the vendor in question has presence so that data is stored in multiple locations for added security for your data storage.
What’s up with the security?
If you consider moving to the cloud, you will have to battle with the security lapses that become evident immediately. A reliable vendor should have the necessary security protocols in place such as ISO certifications (ISO 27000, to be precise), PCI DSS certification, etc. When using the vendors’ web-based interface for file back-ups, check to see if https:// protocol and SSL certificates are in use.
Moving to the cloud is a decision your business hinges on; you can't afford to be complacent about it. Can you?
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