Cloud computing is now recognised as a valuable solution for businesses due to the advantages it provides, such as cost savings, improved security, and greater flexibility. It is therefore becoming more common for organisations to utilise cloud computing for vital operations such as data storage, analysis, and development. Despite this, cloud migration is not always the optimal choice for all businesses.
There is a growing trend of companies choosing to retain certain functions within their organisation or rely on colocation facilities to produce the necessary electricity for these activities. In this article, we will examine some of the reasons behind this shift.
Basic Applications
Businesses that have been using a specific programme for an extended period may be hesitant to transition to a cloud-based equivalent. Many providers of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software offer their products through a cloud-based platform, making it a valid concern. Organisations that have come to depend on these systems may not see any advantages in switching, as they have already established a trusted system in place that can give them a competitive edge.
Intellectual Property Ownership
The safety of intellectual property is a crucial aspect to consider when selecting between an off-site and on-site data centre. Numerous entities are hesitant to transition their data to a cloud environment, especially if they use proprietary software that provides them with a competitive edge. Rather, they prefer to have total control over the location of their data as a means of ensuring security.
Maintaining the safety of intellectual property necessitates more than just a secure data storage facility. Adhering to data centre security best practices is crucial for organisations to uphold the highest security standards.
Measures to prevent unauthorised entry through physical means.
Electronics systems that store data are still vulnerable to security risks as they are situated in physical locations. There are various protective measures that can be taken, such as storing data in multiple locations, utilising security cameras and personnel, constructing reinforced concrete structures, implementing secure server cabinets and cages, and restricting access to the premises only to authorised personnel. For a deeper understanding of Google’s strategy for safeguarding user data, please watch the video below.
Location considerations.
When deciding on a spot for a new data center, companies should take into account factors such as population density (both low and high-population settings offer distinct advantages), weather conditions, and the availability of local power sources.Virtual Restrictions.
Firms should implement a Zero Trust approach to data access and employ a strict monitoring strategy based on perimeters. The Zero Trust methodology mandates that all users verify their identity regularly before being granted access to protect data from internal and external threats.
Mortality and End-of-life
When a server operating system is no longer compatible with updates, firms must evaluate their choices and decide between sticking with the existing operating system and finding solutions, shifting to a new operating system, or transferring their operations to the cloud. For specific organisations, a hybrid plan may be the most appropriate strategy, where some servers are relocated to the cloud while additional servers are installed on-site, delivering additional durability.
Testing
Cloud computing and colocation data centres are two viable alternatives that can be advantageous for forward-thinking businesses. Companies may have the opportunity to gain the most from both worlds by operating their mission-critical applications in-house while also using a cloud version as a testing environment for new ideas. This approach permits them to reap the benefits of managing their mission-critical software, while also having the freedom to innovate and enhance their applications without jeopardising vital data.
Fostering Flexibility
Businesses that are considering whether to set up their own data centre or utilise an external cloud service should note that hybrid computing has become a growing trend. This approach entails conducting some operations on-premises while others occur in the cloud.
This technique provides businesses with a great deal of versatility. IT managers can quickly begin new projects after determining the most advantageous approach. Other considerations to make when utilising cloud and data centre services include:
- A recent article from CIO suggests that, in order to reduce the duration of service delivery to end customers, it is advisable to position workloads as near to them as feasible. Data centres that provide colocation services are likely to be located in advantageous sites and provide direct fibre connectivity.
- A lot of cloud service providers employ colocation data centres, giving their clients the opportunity to access connected cloud services that can boost their workflow by circumventing the public internet.
- Data centres remain a valid option for safely storing sensitive data. As stated by Help Net Security, “if your company has specific security needs, entrusting critical data to the public cloud may limit your control over authorisation, authentication, and access control,” rendering it a critical aspect.
Colocation
Numerous firms are turning to colocation data centres to bypass the inconvenience of managing their own computer equipment. Unlike cloud services, these organisations still need to manage their own systems from a distance. Several factors are prompting businesses to migrate away from maintaining their own data centres and towards colocation.
Hyperscale.
The constant need for ever-increasing amounts of data traffic is driving the continued use of data centres, particularly colocation data centres that are hosted externally by a vendor.Near-the-edge computing.
With the exponential increase in the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, there is a growing requirement for edge computing, which involves conducting operations in close proximity to the data source.5G.
The broad availability of 5G technology is projected to fuel the expansion of the Internet of Things and edge computing.
Data Centres Are the Future
While some businesses may choose to migrate a substantial portion or all of their operations to the cloud, others are being motivated to implement a hybrid strategy because of the factors that have been mentioned.
To determine the most favourable fusion, business proprietors should take into account their desired destination, current requirements, and the goods and services required to achieve their objective.
