data storage Archives - TeleConsult Solutions

The Value of a Gradual Migration to the Cloud

December 18, 2017 by teleconsult

Reading the headlines a few years ago, it was easy to assume that, before long, enterprises would be making a sweeping, all-inclusive migration to the cloud. When they got a break from counting all the money they saved, the IT team may have a few tasks now and then, but cloud was largely going to change the way IT was done.

The cloud has certainly changed things, but enterprises are learning the value of a gradual cloud migration. In fact, a recent report by 451 Research commissioned by Schneider Electric details some of the impact of moving too quickly to the cloud for data storage.

In many cases, enterprises moved data storage to the cloud only to transfer it back to an on-premises data center. While the report says that cloud infrastructure is expected to grow at a 16 percent compound annual growth rate by 2020, on-site enterprise data storage capacity will drop only four points.

In the past two years, 41 percent of respondents reported moving applications from the cloud back to colocation facilities. According to the report, here are a few reasons for the phenomenon:

Latency or performance issues: Of the respondents, 47 percent said that latency or performance suffered when data was housed in the cloud.

Cost: Colocation was more cost-effective for 45 percent of those surveyed, while 39 percent said they preferred more predictable data storage costs.

Security: The report found that 37 percent did not believe data protection was adequate in their cloud data server.

It’s clear that there is no single cause for a migration back to on-site data storage. What may be a practical takeaway is that gradual migration to the cloud is generally preferable to a mass exodus. There are several reasons why a gradual approach sets enterprises up for cloud success:

Total cost of ownership is often misunderstood: Enterprises may go into cloud solutions expecting big cost savings because they aren’t purchasing hardware, there’s a reduction in maintenance costs, and the subscription fees can be categorized as operating expenses. What’s often missed is that cold data storage may be cheaper in the cloud, but accessing it in a timely manner may be a bit pricier than anticipated.

Sometimes, a hybrid approach is ideal. When a gradual move to cloud computing is embraced, enterprises often find they can best optimize their systems with a hybrid environment. A dashboard can unify the systems into one customized monitoring center, and the enterprise can continue to evaluate whether additional cloud services will be a good fit with their on-site systems.

A quality data center partner removes the time-consuming tedium of network management from your workload, allowing you to focus on more strategic projects and goals. At TeleConsult, we work with enterprises to determine the right timeline and approach for cloud migration. Contact us for an initial appointment.

Creating a Data Protection Plan for Cloud Storage

December 4, 2017 by teleconsult

Enterprises are increasingly turning to the cloud for cost-effective data storage, but as the recent Equifax breach makes clear, data protection is still a critical topic for IT teams. While the cloud offers relief from daily backups and investment in servers for data storage, enterprises should not assume their data is safe.

Protecting customer information is critical, but so is the safeguarding of other corporate information assets, such as pricing information and sales history. Customer financial information needs safeguarding, and enterprises in the financial and healthcare industries must use additional caution to protect client assets. In the case of healthcare, prioritizing the regulations associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is critical.

The EU has put some regulations in place for requiring enterprises to protect the data of consumers, but in the U.S., data protection is largely driven by self-governance, as well as the assurance that consumers will abandon a company that experiences a major security breach.

Best Practices for Data Protection

Evaluate the best options between public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud solutions. The best and most secure option for data storage and protection may be different between these alternatives depending on the type of data being discussed. It’s possible that an enterprise will need to use a combination of cloud solutions for the different types of data they need to protect.

Fully examine the security history of the service provider, as well as the storage platform itself. You need to know what the service provider’s security recovery plan is, and whether they’ve had to execute it in the past. Don’t only look at the vendor, but examine the reputation of the software they use.

Use two-factor authentication. Look for a cloud service provider that offers this, because even if a hacker has access to passwords, they won’t be able to get past the second step.

Utilize third-party encryption when data is being moved. The cloud service provider will protect data once it’s on their server, but use encryption from a third-party as a data protection safeguard.

Get creative with challenge questions. Using standard challenge questions makes it too easy for hackers. Instead, staff members can choose from a custom set of challenge questions, or they can be encouraged to use nonsense answers for standard questions.

Have a plan for devices. If you have a bring your own device (BYOD) policy, be sure there’s a plan in place for controlling the risk of security breach. From time-outs to policies that regulate how data is wiped when an employee parts ways with the enterprise, there must be a plan in place.

At TeleConsult, our expertise in communications technologies along with our diverse experience with multiple carrier products means that we bring a depth of telecommunications capabilities to our clients. Contact us for an initial appointment to discuss a data protection plan appropriate for enterprise security.

Addressing Cloud Security Myths

August 21, 2017 by teleconsult

As public cloud use becomes more widespread, companies must address certain questions that surface with implementation. Security is often part of the discussion, with IT professionals tasked with reassuring line of business managers about the safety of storing data in the cloud.

With any data storage — public or private cloud, on-site, or a hybrid solution — there are security risks to address. The novelty of cloud technology often makes it of particular concern to managers. They want to know that measures are being taken to ensure the safety of data. They also often embrace certain myths about security.

The “black or white” myth: While data stored in the public cloud is not inherently unsafe, it’s not impenetrable, either. One of the myths of public cloud data storage is double-sided, with some believing that it cannot possibly be safe and others believing that the cloud will not allow a security breach.

Neither statement is completely true. It’s important when accessing a cloud solution that you carefully assess security risks and address them with your vendor in writing. You should not only determine which party is responsible for each aspect of security, but also who takes responsibility for damages in the event of a breach.

Public cloud options are not safe by accident; instead, they are safe because enterprises and vendors work together to adopt robust security features which often outperform any security system used in an on-site system.

The vulnerability myth: Don’t imagine that, because you have humans working on your systems, that you’ll always have some unsolvable vulnerability. It requires training and education, but you can help your staff support your security policies.

Passwords written on sticky notes adhered to a monitor and out-of-date firewalls are just two examples of the ways that casual administration of security policies can leave your system vulnerable. Shadow IT, or the unauthorized downloading of apps and other technology, can also create vulnerability.

Don’t throw up your hands and assume your system can never be safe. With the right training, your employees can be some of your best security resources. Once they know what’s at risk, they can work alongside your IT professionals to ensure a safe public cloud environment for your company.

At TeleConsult, our cloud and IT services bring you the performance and reliability you need to realize growth. We specialize in helping companies move forward as the marketplace rapidly changes, and we do it by offering unparalleled performance, flexibility, and scalability. Contact us today to find out more.

What’s Developing in Cloud Storage Technology

June 19, 2017 by teleconsult

As data multiplies exponentially, companies are looking for low-cost solutions for storage of that data. Cloud storage technology is changing rapidly to meet demand, with developers creating storage options that are affordable and dynamic, handling various types of data with dexterity.

Much of the data that companies need to store is cold data that will rarely be accessed, but must be kept for regulatory purposes or to meet company standards of data storage. The variable formats of data, which can be heavy with images and video, require agility in storage options.

There are new developments in cloud storage that are making it increasingly affordable for companies to store large data files:

The cost of cloud storage will get even better. Companies excited about the low cost of cloud storage will be happy to know that costs are expected to improve with the transition from virtual machines to object storage. 451 Research reports that object storage costs have declined 14 percent in the past year, compared to virtual machines showing a five percent cut in costs. Costs are expected to drop as object storage becomes more available for mainstream enterprises.

Companies are prioritizing cloud use for disaster recovery and archiving. This is the most popular choice for introducing cloud storage, with 36 percent of cloud users listing disaster recovery as their priority for the technology. Coming in second was backup and general storage. Users generally cite the low cost as their reason for implementing a cloud solution, but the ease of management and recovery speed are also pushing the use of cloud.

Cloud storage is integrating well with on-premises software applications. Many companies are opting for a hybrid solution where they can store long-term data on the cloud while employing on-premises enterprise systems. Many suppliers of on-premises software are including integration with cloud storage in their updates. Oracle recently provided a link to its storage cloud, giving users a cloud option without having to pay for cloud licensing or gateways.

Storage solutions across third-party cloud suppliers are becoming more manageable. New developments are making it easier for a company to have cloud storage integrated across third party cloud programs. For instance, NextCloud has introduced a blockchain solution, giving enterprises the ability to create encrypted storage pools with their chosen providers. Blockchain is usually used for financial data to manage digital currency, but it is proving useful in a variety of areas.

Looking for the latest in cloud storage solutions for your company? Give TeleConsult Solutions a call to find out why we are the ideal partner for determining your cloud storage needs and facilitating a seamless integration of your solution.

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