As a business owner, you are likely always looking for ways to optimize your operations, increase efficiency, and minimize costs. Cloud technology solutions offer a great way to do just that, but taking full advantage of the computing power available within the cloud can feel challenging without the right processes.
This is why organizations ought to learn about cloud best practices and implement them into their own operations. With carefully made procedures in place, your company will be able to leverage the full potential of its cloud resources to ensure that it remains innovative and flexible within the highly competitive business landscape.
A brief overview of the cloud
Cloud computing delivers digital services over the Internet. It is a way of storing and sharing data, applications, and other resources. Cloud computing can be delivered through a variety of methods, such as platform-as-a-service (PaaS), software-as-a-service (SaaS), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).
What are cloud best practices?
As with many IT solutions and strategies, cloud best practices can refer to the standards and guidelines an organization uses to ensure that its cloud infrastructure is secure, reliable, and cost-effective. These practices can focus on helping employees maximize the benefits of cloud services and solutions while minimizing security risks.
Cloud best practices can cover a range of topics, from infrastructure configuration to data encryption and everyday security monitoring. By following these best practices, business owners will be able to reinvigorate their companies’ workflows to deliver new products and services that enrich the lives of their customers.
5 cloud best practices all businesses should know
Cloud environments have revolutionized the way companies do business. And with “the global cloud computing market … projected to reach $1,402.7 billion by 2030”, the idea that the cloud will continue to play a role in business operations is not unfounded.
To make sure that your organization is equipped to use your cloud technology solutions effectively, you ought to adopt the following practices:
When dealing with cloud-based systems, network security is critical to keeping processes, people, and information safe from harm. Cloud security tools can help businesses secure their cloud infrastructures to reduce the chances of experiencing cyber-attacks and other threats. Cloud security solutions include:
- Identity and access management (IAM), such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Data encryption.
- Cloud network monitoring.
- Cloud data loss prevention (DLP).
- Cloud firewalls.
By using these tools, you can ensure that only authorized users have access to your organization’s data and that it is encrypted while being stored or transferred. Threat actors and other malicious entities can strike cloud environments and their users whenever they want to. You and your team should implement solutions that offer real-time protection to keep your cloud applications secure 24/7/365.
In the 12 months prior to June 2022, over 40% of organizations were the victims of a data breach within the cloud, a reminder that no aspect of a company’s IT environment (from cloud-based applications to on-site physical infrastructure) is completely safe from cybercrime. Data loss can be catastrophic for any business, so it is important to regularly back up your data. This ensures that you have a copy of your data in case of a system failure or data breach.
While you are backing up your information, it is also a good idea to establish a disaster recovery plan (DRP) to make sure your systems are capable of being restored in the aftermath of a disaster. Your network is the tool that allows you and your team to access your data. Consequently, a DRP can help solidify the channels that keep you and your company’s data tied together—essential for data security and business longevity.
Cloud-focused training is a comprehensive solution for educating your staff on cloud best practices, such as how to use cloud infrastructure efficiently, understanding the security risks associated with cloud technology solutions, and more. As threats and cloud technologies evolve over time, establishing routine training sessions can keep your organization regularly updated on the latest cloud trends.
A cloud strategy is a forward-thinking document that outlines how cloud technology solutions will be used to push an organization toward its goals. Planning an in-depth cloud strategy will help you envision a cloud infrastructure that supports all areas of your business, while pinpointing the tools you ought to invest in to make the aforementioned vision a reality.
At the same time, a strategy can help you develop any regulatory, privacy, or compliance requirements that inform your cloud security tools and solutions. Implementing the cloud without a plan can increase the risk of overspending and ineffective decision-making. But with a cloud strategy in place, your company’s transformation into a cloud-based organization will be seamless.
Managed service providers (MSPs) offer a cost-effective way for organizations to outsource their cloud services. MSPs can manage and monitor the performance of your cloud environment and its resources, providing ongoing support to keep your cloud tools reliable.
Cloud technology solutions and infrastructure services from industry leaders
A dynamic cloud infrastructure allows businesses to achieve higher standards of productivity and employee collaboration, all for a cheaper price compared to on-site solutions. Cloud best practices enable companies to make the most of their cloud environment while keeping data (and their reputation) secure.
The managed infrastructure experts at IT Gurus specialize in a range of IT environments, including cloud infrastructure. Contact the team today to enhance your company’s agility and data security with a robust cloud infrastructure fit for your expectations.
