As the need for advanced speed and agility continues to propel organizations towards the cloud, stubborn misconceptions persist. These IT myths delay or even prevent organizations from migrating to the cloud. For organizations already living in the cloud, these myths can prevent them from using their solution to its full advantage.
Let’s debunk six common myths about the cloud so you can start capturing all the benefits this technology offers.
6 Cloud Myths Debunked
1. “The Cloud is Too Expensive.”
Many people believe the cost of running their solutions in the cloud is too high. In some cases, the initial cost may be higher, and the cost of cloud services can vary depending on organization size and other factors. However, the cloud allows organizations to escape several factors and expenses that come with an on-premises deployment, including:
The Hidden Costs of On-Premises
- Hardware
- Support Staff
- Onboarding & Training
- Extended Deployment Times
- Additional Overhead Expenses
- Lengthy, Complex Upgrades
These expenses drastically drive up the price of hosting on-premises over time. As a result, eliminating these costs by migrating to the cloud can save you a significant amount of money after the initial investment.
2. “Our Data Will Be Put at Risk.”
Leaving your data in somebody else’s hands can be scary. But in reality, your data’s physical location matters far less than who can access and control it. These factors are challenging to control when you host your data on-premises. This is because most companies lack the financial or staffing resources to attain the level of security benefits that cloud services providers can.
Fortunately, cloud providers prioritize security and have the resources and facilities to back it up. Excellent cloud providers offer several geographically dispersed data centers. They take data security to the next level with multi-layered security defenses with strong precautions which is typically much more than you can apply on-premises. Additionally, cloud providers constantly evaluate and evolve their expert practices to guarantee the best protection for their customers’ data. You can also count on reputable cloud services providers to encrypt all data, whether at rest or in transit. And for your peace of mind, only you (as the customer), will have access to the encryption keys.
7 Key Layers of Cloud Security
Learn how you can leverage the cloud to reinforce 7 critical layers of security. Plus, get more details on how cloud security works.
3. “Migrating to the Cloud Will Give Us Less Flexibility to Make Changes.”
Organizations are often concerned that hosting their platform in the cloud will inhibit their ability to make changes like upgrades and other new deployments. However, in Foundry (formerly IDG)’s 2022 Cloud Computing Study, when asked for their top motivator for investing in the cloud, 32% of respondents named the ability to increase flexibility to react to changing market conditions.
The engineers behind cloud platforms are experts in their field and the specific solution they manage. Given their expertise and experience, they can help you make changes faster and easier than what you’re accustomed to. Plus, they can provide valuable insights into your options when you’re evolving your solutions and offer advice for further innovation.
4. “The Cloud Kills IT Jobs.”
One of the most pervasive myths is that IT jobs get cut once a company moves to the cloud. In reality, the tasks of IT professionals may shift. For example, the IT administrator’s role evolves into one of a technical solutions facilitator and trusted advisor. And while your cloud provider will manage the network and data center security, your IT team won’t be off the hook. They will still oversee certain tasks like administering logical access.
5. “One Cloud Fits All.”
Many assume it’s best to rely on a single hosting platform, but that’s not ideal for every organization. As a result, it’s becoming more common to take a multi-cloud approach. For global companies, this approach is critical to adhere to varying local data privacy laws. But others are turning to a multi-cloud approach to enjoy additional benefits like redundancy, scalability, and agility. The 2022 Cloud Security Alliance Survey found that 62% of participants already have a multi-cloud strategy, and 84% plan to have one in place by 2024.
At Naviant, we recently went on our own multi-cloud journey, opting for AWS as our public cloud solution and the Hyland Cloud as our private cloud solution. Watch the 3-minute video below to learn more about our strategy and why we made the switch.
3-Minute Video: Our Story & The Results of Switching to the Cloud
At Naviant, we recently moved to the cloud. Hear from our President & CEO on why we shifted to a cloud-first strategy and the benefits we’ve gained.
6. “Transitioning to the Cloud Will Be Quick and Easy.”
Despite the benefits that make the cloud a worthy pursuit, making the shift isn’t necessarily easy. Some organizations are tempted to dive into cloud migration too quickly without sufficient expert guidance or planning. Doing so can lead to a difficult implementation and impede your results.
To make your transition as smooth as possible, you need a cloud provider that serves as a strategic partner. Look for a provider with a cloud-first approach who will actively help you:
- Navigate every step of the process, from pre-implementation to post
- Set realistic milestones and expectations with you
- Help you develop a cloud transition strategy that considers factors including necessary organizational changes, required skills, change management, and oversight responsibilities
With the right partnership and planning, you can put the proper foundation into place for a smooth cloud migration.
Embrace the Cloud Now
All six of these myths prevent organizations from understanding the positive business, economic, and operational impacts of the cloud. Failing to recognize the value of this technology doesn’t just lower the efficiency of an organization’s IT operations. In the long run, it’s irresponsible to stick to “how we’ve always done it” in today’s digital age. It’s time to join the movement of cloud-first companies that have effectively counteracted these myths.
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