IO Blog
With all sorts of business applications and services heading into the cloud, a growing number of IT managers are considering cloud storage as a way of expanding their storage capabilities without the expense and trouble of acquiring additional storage hardware.
Cloud storage—also known as virtual storage—provides an extensive array of potential benefits. Besides relieving businesses of the upfront costs associated with acquiring hard drives, storage area network (SAN) components and related technologies, cloud storage can deliver fast and painless storage scalability, easier data synchronization and an end to maintenance headaches.
With demand rising, the number of cloud storage providers is expanding almost exponentially. With so many companies pouring into the market, there’s now a great deal of confusion surrounding cloud storage services and practices, which can make it difficult to find a service that’s reliable, safe and affordable. Here’s what you need to look for:
Storage Approach. The public Internet is useful for many things, but data storage isn’t one of them. Even if you use both encryption and secure connections, you can’t tell where your data will eventually end up. Uncertainty isn’t a good data storage characteristic. The better, safer approach is to use a private cloud service operated by a trusted provider that will store your data on its own reliable and secure systems. Storage capacity can be quickly and easily increased simply by requesting additional gigabytes.
Data. Cloud storage is most suitable for large volumes of unstructured data and archival material, such as credit card and mortgage applications or medical records. Data backups, file archiving and disaster recovery are three great cloud storage uses. Additionally, enterprises in tightly regulated fields like finance and healthcare can more easily meet mandated data storage requirements with redundant virtualized backups that are both secure and instantly available.
Bandwidth. For many adopters, cloud storage is as much a network activity as an IT operation. Cramped bandwidth will significantly impact the amount of time required to upload and download files, so be sure that your network service is up to the job. Better yet, consider collocating your servers—or moving your entire data center—to an off-site facility with its own private cloud environment.
Encryption. A big drawback to using a remote cloud storage service, rather than basing your servers on site, is the need to encrypt your data for network transfers. Cloud storage data and metadata, including files names and time stamps, should always be invisible when moving over a network connection.
Physical Security. Stolen or damaged storage devices can lead to lost and/or compromised files. To counter this threat you’ll want to use a provider that pays scrupulous attention to the physical security of its private cloud storage assets. Look for a provider that secures its premises—and your data—with advanced access controls, including guard-controlled gates, biometric screening, video surveillance, a trained security staff and other advanced technologies and practices.
Availability. Service availability becomes a major consideration when critical data is stored in the cloud. Not having continuous, immediate access to your cloud-stored data creates a giant business liability. To ensure constant, uninterrupted file access, look for a cloud storage provider that offers a 24x7xForever service guarantee.
Provider Stability. Finally, don’t forget to consider the possibility that your provider could someday go out of business, making your stored files along for the ride. Before committing to any cloud storage relationship, check into the provider’s financial condition and ask the company how it plans to protect your data in the event normal business operations are interrupted.
