Managing the Risks of Cloud Computing

For organizations wanting to share resources rapidly and successfully, cloud computing can be an attractive solution. However, while moving operations to the cloud is a reliable way to lower software and hardware costs while keeping data readily available, it can also expose your company to certain risks that need to be taken into consideration when choosing if it is right for you. Continue reading to learn how managing the risks of cloud computing with TPG is your best option!

Picking the ideal cloud provider can mean the difference between long-term success and costly failure. Either way, you need to ask the right questions and set the ideal requirements to ensure that your potential cloud provider increases your productivity, not your risks.

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Contracts

The most vital part of moving some or all your operations to a cloud provider is developing an agreement that will lay out, beforehand, the method your data will be managed. Eventually, your business is responsible for any data that it is delegated, even when that data is being stored by a third party. Without the cloud, your company has full control over its data security and Internet policy. If you make the transfer to a cloud computing platform, the provider you choose might not have the same high requirements currently held by your business. With a contract, you can make sure your provider implements the same level of protection that your company would in its system.

Concerns for Potential Providers

Among the greatest errors a business can make is not investigating and/or working out the terms of its agreement with potential suppliers before beginning service. The less you learn about your provider and what services they are willing to guarantee, the larger the space for error. When comparing cloud computing services, there are some factors that you need to consider:

• Data recovery: What takes place if a catastrophe damages your provider's servers? Are they obligated to replace the data kept on it? Do they even have the ability? Temporary data loss can be exceptionally bothersome and pricey to a company. If it is long-term and the provider has provided you with no assurance to restore data, the loss can be devastating. Ensure the provider has the resources in place to back up your data to ensure that there cannot be any irreversible loss. Make sure they can restore your data in a sensible timeframe to avoid a prolonged disturbance to your operations.
• Data location: Data taken into the cloud can be saved anywhere, from across town to a server on the other side of the world. Sadly, not all nations are as rigorous as the United States when it concerns data security. While your provider may be headquartered in the United States, it might make use of server areas in several countries. Depending on the location, this could mean lower security standards. Ask providers to ensure your data will be stored on servers within the United States and that they will comply with all local regulations concerning data security.
• Ending a partnership: Before you begin the partnership, it is very important to think about how things will work out if it ends. Whether by your own choice or because of a regrettable event, such as your provider failing or being taken over by another business, there may come a time when you will part ways with your cloud provider. To prevent the loss, ask prospective companies to describe the system for moving data from their servers back into your control should your company relationship end.

New Territory

Cloud computing is a relatively new idea, meaning there may be a variety of risks that are not yet obvious. This also suggests that most cloud service providers have a minimal history in the industry. Cloud computing includes numerous advantages, but you are required to strongly consider the types of sensitive data you want to run the risk of moving to the cloud.