The world is unrecognizable from what it was a mere few years ago – technology has taken over and given small business a competitive advantage with the same technology that enterprises use. The technology that we all have access to in the modern world is remarkable – it allows us (both at home and at work) to achieve levels of productivity that we didn’t think were possible. It has allowed us to make revolutionary changes to the way we do things – the most prominent of which is remote working.
Due to the recent state of the world of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, the transition to remote working was much more rushed than business owners would have liked – organizations were forced to make such a rapid change to the way they work just to keep the business operating at a sustainable level.
The Cloud is what made remote working possible – it can cause anxiety at first, because business owners (understandably) have questions and have heard rumors about it that don’t necessarily project it in the best light. In the following articles we will debunk some of the myths surrounding it, walk you through some of the jargon that professionals use when referring to it, and also explain some of the business benefits of a successful transition.
What is the Cloud?
Cloud computing has brought about the future of technology. Being ‘on the Cloud’ refers to the fact that a company’s IT services are delivered over the internet from a provider’s data center, meaning that the business doesn’t have to run their own IT on locally based on-premise servers.
Traditionally, businesses would have to purchase, support, and maintain their own IT hardware and software platforms. To ensure there were no unexpected blackouts business owners would have to supply power and air cool their hardware to ensure it functioned properly all of the time – with no exceptions. This can be expensive and challenging for those that aren’t particularly IT competent. The Cloud operates on a subscription-based model – due to this it allows for far more flexibility than traditional methods of IT.
Now you know what it is, let’s ridicule the myths that surround it.
Cloud myths – Debunked
“What is the point in the Cloud? We won’t achieve any more value from it.”
Unfortunately, most providers will help you to the ends of the earth when it comes to your migration but they show very little interest from there on in. Once having got your signature on that contract most think that is where their job ends – this is simply not good enough.
Most commonly, the concern about the value of the Cloud comes from small to medium businesses not having the technical prowess to know what they are doing with the Cloud, or to use it to its full potential.
The most popular Cloud platform on the market is by far the Microsoft Office 365 suite. Most use it for emails, and to store documents, but the capabilities of the Cloud are far vaster than that.
It is essential that you find an IT partner that takes its time to assess your organization. Doing this will allow them to map out plans for your technological landscape – in the process not just solving your business challenges but also allowing your business – and your team – to achieve levels of production and efficiency you never thought possible.
“I do not need to back-up my data if we work in the Cloud.”
No matter where it is stored there is always the chance that your data could be lost, stolen, or corrupted. No matter where it is – unfortunately – there is no way of completely guaranteeing its safety.
The main reason why back-ups of data, email, and systems are necessary will always be human error. Accidental deletion, poor levels of access control that permit a cyber-attack, or simply a lack of end-user knowledge resulting in a click on a malicious email link, are all ways that your users could inadvertently be the cause of your problems, resulting in the loss or theft of your data.
The Cloud, despite its enterprise-grade levels of cyber defenses, will not be an entirely impenetrable fortress on an infrastructural level either. The security of anything is only as strong as its weakest link and, unfortunately, in most cases that weakest link is the human using them.
But don’t let this put you off, because it is possible to back-up your Cloud systems to another totally independent Cloud service. In this way you will have peace of mind that your data is protected whatever the circumstances. It is more cost-effective to back-up data directly from your Cloud environment than it is from an on-premise IT environment to the Cloud, which makes this option a no brainer.
“My Data is no longer in my control when in the Cloud, and that makes it unsafe”
Just because your data is in your physical control does not mean that it is safe. It is, in fact, likely to be more unsafe than when stored in a data center. The data center in which your data resides will more than likely have invested a lot of money – a sum that far surmounts what the average organization would normally spend (even some of the largest ones) – on a security infrastructure and defenses that are far better equipped than what you can produce in house, making the Cloud the far safer option.
“My data is missing, and I don’t know where it has gone”
No matter the circumstances it is important that you have control over your data because not doing so is asking for trouble, and you may also be failing to meet your compliance obligations (which could lead to legal ramifications). This is one of the main reasons why many don’t make the transition to the Cloud at all. In the Cloud you do still have control – if you prompt your provider they will tell you where your data is kept and be sure that you are compliant to the various obligations you have. This doesn’t, however, mean that all Cloud providers have your best interests at heart. It is recommended – as with all contracts – to always read the small print before signing up for any Cloud service, as some claim ownership of your data, allowing them to scan your email and content for their own purposes.
IT Support the right way
By trusting us with your IT needs we can guarantee that your organization is ready to succeed in the modern digital workplace. Our experience in working with small businesses in Ontario and the Greater Toronto area allows us to ensure that you can increase revenue, secure your data, and always operate at peak performance in the most secure way possible. All these abilities can be achieved at the very highest standard. Contact us now to find out what else we can do to improve your IT landscape and bring you even more benefits from your IT going forward.
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