Cloud computing is used in almost every industry. There are several reasons behind this recent trend. One of the most important factors is the use of the cloud for disaster recovery purposes.
A disaster for a firm can be defined as technological or man made, as well as natural. Natural disasters are rarely predictable but are almost guaranteed to occur at some point during the businesses lifetime. A technological or man made disaster can occur due to hardware failure, theft and so on. In any case, every firm needs to protect itself from such scenarios. One emerging option is to use cloud computing to have a consistently updated backup handy at all times.
Disaster recovery is just one benefit, there are numerous other reasons why cloud computing has become extremely popular. However, most of these benefits cannot be quantified, which is why it is difficult to gauge the monetary impact of cloud computing on any industry or firm.
What is the Cloud
The cloud is a virtual storage system that can be accessed from any place and at any time. A business’ information on the cloud can be shared and edited in real time by anyone, regardless of location. It can be accessed quickly and easily in case of an emergency. Access to this information can be restricted to only authorized people.
It is a good option for businesses that need a cost-effective solution for backup storage.
The Cloud versus other Backup Systems
The cost of cloud computing is minimal at best compared with other similar options. Also, the configuration of the entire system can easily be managed without the need for hiring any external staff. Therefore, it is a great way for companies to save money on hiring and training IT staff. It also saves them from having to invest heavily in IT equipment. Cloud computing is an excellent alternative to other, more-expensive disaster recovery options.
Scalability
One of the biggest advantages of opting for cloud computing is its scalability. This is also very important in regards to disaster recovery. As a firm expands, its requirements regarding IT resources also increase. Cloud computing can cater to such demands without a significant increase in costs. It also allows companies to allocate resources as efficiently as possible. Therefore, it is a great option for firms looking to save money in the long run.
Potential for Adaptation
Market trends change quite rapidly. Firms who want to stay on top have to meet these changes and adapt to them as quickly as possible. Cloud computing is extremely flexible and can react positively to technological changes, and others, quite rapidly. Therefore, companies are able to stay ahead of the competition.
Cons of Cloud Computing
There has been some concern over the safety of data in cloud storage. Power outages have a chance of affecting cloud accessibility. If the cloud host goes down because of a power failure, all access to data in that cloud is cut off. In addition, there is a possibility of viruses and hackers that can attack the virtual storage system. For these reasons, many colocation facilities are now offering cloud services, called cloud colocation. Security of data is the top priority for these data centers. This means they are prepared to eliminate the security problems with cloud computing.
Quantifying the benefits of cloud computing can be a difficult task, as many of the benefits are intangible. A company can employ any one of the three methods above to gauge return on investment in cloud computing.
Pavlicka enjoys sharing useful tools and information to his readers. He recommends readers to consider cloud storage to manage disaster recovery.