School of Information Systems

BENEFIT AND DRAWBACK OF MOVING YOUR DATA TO THE CLOUD

15 Oct 2024

The definition of cloud may seem ambiguous, but it is essentially a term for a global network of servers, each with its own function. The cloud is not a physical entity, but a vast network of remote servers around the world, interconnected and designed to function as a single ecosystem. These servers are used to store and manage data, run applications, or serve content and services such as streaming video, webmail, office productivity software, and social media. Instead of accessing your files and data from your local or personal computer, you can access them online from any web-enabled device. Access your information wherever and whenever you need it.

In today’s digital world, the cloud has revolutionized the way businesses store, process, and access data. Moving data to the cloud offers many benefits, from scalability and cost savings to improved collaboration and disaster recovery. However, this paradigm shift is not without challenges. Security concerns, reliance on Internet connectivity, and long-term costs are all factors to consider carefully. The following is an explanation of its benefits and drawbacks, The benefits moving data to the Cloud is:

Accessibility and availability.

Data is stored remotely so you can access it at home or at work. This is especially useful if your job requires frequent travel or if your team is in different time zones. Cloud storage also supports collaborative processes when teams are globally distributed. Cloud storage allows employees to easily log in and access the work of other team members, regardless of location or distance between team members. With cloud storage, your employees can work from wherever they are

Cost saving.

With cloud storage, software licenses and updates are all included in a single global monthly price, so you don’t have to pay. Cloud storage also eliminates the need to invest in expensive server infrastructure as the cloud company provides the server infrastructure off-site. Moving to the cloud reduces hardware and maintenance costs, as well as costs associated with data center management, cooling, and power consumption.

Recovery and Backup.

Cloud providers typically offer integrated backup and disaster recovery solutions. Data is stored in multiple locations to protect data from hardware failures, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events. Cloud-based backups can be automated, ensuring regular and reliable backups without manual intervention. Also, cloud storage companies usually offer password-protected data storage. Data is transmitted over the Internet using encryption technology. This ensures that the highest security standards are met.

However, behind the many benefits that we can get from moving our data to the cloud, there are also several points that we must consider before moving our data, because the cloud also has some drawbacks such as:

Dependence on internet connectivity.

Cloud computing relies heavily on Internet connectivity. If your internet connection is slow, unreliable, or unavailable, you may have trouble accessing and working with data stored in the cloud. Moreover, if you have a slow internet connection, you will have to wait a long time to remotely access your stored data. This can cause business disruption, especially if you rely heavily on real-time data access.

Assess security measures of cloud providers.

Storing data in the cloud means entrusting it to a third party. Although cloud providers have stringent security measures in place, the risks of unauthorized access, invasion of privacy, and data loss always exist. Unlike traditional data centers, where you have complete visibility and control over your data, public cloud lacks visibility and control over your data as some of your security and responsibilities are managed by an external cloud provider. This is a big risk and should be considered in advance.

Provider lockout.

Cloud service providers may build their services in such a way that it is difficult to port corporate data to their own servers or other cloud providers. It also significantly slows down the data transfer speed when extracting data.

Therefore, we can conclude that moving data to the cloud offers significant benefits, including enhanced accessibility, cost savings, and reliable backup and recovery options. It enables businesses to scale their storage and processing capabilities easily and promotes collaboration among globally dispersed teams.

However, several drawbacks must be carefully considered. Dependence on internet connectivity can hinder data access and productivity if the connection is slow or unreliable. Security concerns arise when entrusting sensitive data to a third-party provider, necessitating thorough evaluation of the provider’s security measures. Vendor lock-in can limit flexibility and hinder data portability, impacting future scalability options.

Despite these challenges, with proper planning, robust security measures, and a thorough understanding of long-term costs, migrating data to the cloud can unlock significant benefits for businesses. It is crucial to assess the specific needs and requirements of your organization to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and mitigates potential risks.

Sources

Rayhan Shaddiq R