Hybrid cloud and the potential challenges

The dramatic and steady increase of the usage of cloud platforms and services, have been changing the industry aswe know it. Vendors and third parties are allowing organisations the flexibility and advantages of cutting-edge technology, enabling firms to be more innovative to drive digital transformation.

Moving to a cloud model, or harnessing the benefits of cloud, in conjunction with your existing on-premise model, has a number of key advantages.

It is important to really evaluate them and it is not hard to see why the majority of organisations are embarking on cloud journeys. According to a survey of IT professionals, 77% ranked cloud technologies as the most important tools in a business. 

The art of migration

Migrating your IT to the cloud isn’t an easy process. In fact, if not properly managed, it can become a black hole of time, money and effort, which ends up increasing stress rather than reducing it. Organisation’s need to ensure all primary stakeholders are in agreement about the cloud strategy migration, including the board and the IT department. Having a solid existing architecture as a starting point is important in the adoption and success of a hybrid cloud solution. 

There are many moving parts to consider when planning a cloud migration. It is imperative that you think through your migration strategy in full and plan out a roadmap, including an existing gap-analysis of your current infrastructure and architecture. Without a comprehensive roadmap, you could fall at the first-hurdle. Following a review of the existing roadmap and strategy, the recruitment and workforce strategy, should be aligned to overall cloud roadmap and programme. There is a much lower cost-of-entry, with many advantages of productivity and flexibility of the ‘pay-as-you-go’ consumption model. This makes it much easier for companies to scale up as they grow. On top of that, there is more flexibility and greater choice to a much wider range of capabilities than would be possible with an on-premise infrastructure.  

In terms of assessing the risk of outsourcing with the adoption of cloud, an increasing number of firms are outsourcing the delivery of major and critical services, often to unregulated providers. 

Organisations (Financial Services regulated or not) have the appropriate control over third-party providers, and take responsibility for the service they provide. This is more and more apparent with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, and now it is more and more important for firms as the controllers of personal data, to manage customers’ data privacy correctly. 

Security, vulnerability and privacy

Although cloud service providers implement the best security standards and industry certifications, storing data and important files on external service providers always opens up risks. There are concerns with the safety and privacy of important data stored remotely. The possibility of private data being shared with other organisations makes some businesses uneasy. With cloud, every component is online, which exposes potential vulnerabilities, both from cyber-attacks, and privacy and GDPR implications of a potential breach. It is important remember that even the best teams can suffer severe attacks and security breaches. 

Bandwidth 

Several cloud storage services have a specific bandwidth allowance, so if an organisation surpasses the given allowance, the additional charges could be significant. However, some providers allow unlimited bandwidth. This is a factor that companies should consider when looking at a cloud storage provider.

Digital transformation 

Digital transformation has become a top priority. An organisation’s cloud strategy has proven to be an integral ingredient in business change and innovation. However, to enable this rate of change, the technology must meet the challenge. Technology needs to be low cost, scalable and secure. It is clear that the innovation, pace and investment that these providers offer is a true enabler for digital transformation. 

Cloud set-up time is short compared to on-premises IT, saving time and money in the process. This empowers users to be innovative. That speed and simplicity, combined with a re-imagined digital workspace, allows access to digital tools at the flick of a switch. This also gives organisations financial freedom, both long-term and short-term, as there is no longer upfront investment.

This means having the full flexibility of both capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenditure models. With greater financial gains and flexibility in both CAPEX and OPEX expenditure, cloud and innovation now underpins business operations and transformation. 

If you are interested in hiring top professionals in the technology sector, please get in touch with one of our specialist recruitment consultants today. Alternatively, submit a job spec, and we will give you a call.

Luke Pulsford
Senior Consultant, Michael Page Technology