Security: Priority #1 in cloud computing

When choosing a cloud provider, nothing is more important than security. Your organization’s data and operations depend on it. With the increasing prevalence and severity of cyber threats, a breach can lead to significant financial loss, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. It’s a worst case scenario.Fortunately, most cloud providers take security seriously, and in many cases your data will be more secure in the cloud than it was on premises.

A reliable cloud provider should offer advanced security features such as encryption, regular security audits, compliance with industry standards, and comprehensive access controls.

Before considering any other criteria, ensure that a potential cloud provider prioritizes security. It is essential to safeguarding your organization’s critical assets, maintaining customer trust, and enabling smooth, uninterrupted operations.

First consider your cloud computing needs

Before beginning your search, develop a clear understanding of what you need in a cloud computing environment. This is especially important if you currently have a legacy system and you may not have team members with a deep understanding of how it works. Conduct any audits or analyses necessary to understand exactly what your system requires. (IT service providers like R2i can conduct these analyses if you don’t have specialists on your in-house team.)

Next, determine what your requirements are. We recommend considering the following questions:

• Do you need a SaaS, IaaS, or PaaS cloud provider? Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud providers give you a ready-to-use application, and they are probably the best choice if you don’t have extensive technical knowledge in house. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) providers give you virtualized computing resources and Platform as a Service (PaaS) providers give you a platform for deploying applications. Both of these options will require more technical work on your side to get up and running, but provide more flexibility.
• Would an industry cloud provider be an option? Some cloud providers offer industry-specific solutions with specialized features, compliance measures, and optimizations that address the industry’s unique challenges and requirements. If some are available for your industry, they may be worth considering.
• Do you have specific security needs? Baseline security is non-negotiable, but does your industry require additional security measures? Consider what additional security requirements you may have.
• Are there applicable regulatory requirements? Similarly to security requirements, does your industry have specific regulatory regulations or standards? Consider what regulations may impact cloud computing.
• What is your budget and preferred cost structure? Usually, you’ll be looking for a simple, predictable pricing model that fits your budget. When you consider providers, understand how costs are calculated, including any hidden fees, and confirm the payment methods and billing cycles to avoid surprises.
• What are your future goals? Consider what projects, new products, growth, or other changes may come soon to your company. Make sure that whatever cloud provider you choose works for you now and in your near future.

Choosing the right cloud provider: The key to success

Once you know what your requirements are for a cloud environment, it’s time to assess potential cloud providers.

The right provider will not only meet your current technical and operational needs but will also support your future growth and innovation. Do not make the decision lightly. The right cloud provider can support your future success and become a trusted partner who saves you money, keeps your business safe, and makes your cloud operations seamless. However, the wrong cloud provider could drain your IT budget, endanger your data and customer relationships, slow down your progress, and perhaps even leave you trapped in a situation where it is extremely difficult to extract your files.

How to choose your cloud partner: 14 essential criteria

The right cloud provider is more than a service provider, they’re an IT partner and a valuable, trusted business relationship.

To assess potential cloud providers, consider these 14 criteria.

• Financial health and stability – Choose a provider that is stable and financially healthy so they will be there for you for many years to come.
• Security – The top priority, security is especially important in certain industries. Check the provider’s security standards, considering both infrastructure and strategy level security. Remember to include the physical security of the premises when you assess this.
• Backup procedures – Determine how the cloud provider backs up data and make sure that it meets your needs.
• Risk management – Check that the provider has a robust system of risk management for all areas of their business.
• Disaster management – Make sure the cloud provider has an adequate disaster recovery strategy.
• Change management – Assess how the cloud provider handles changes, updates, or events that impact their systems and your business.
• Integrations and hybrid clouds – Determine what integrations are possible with their systems and whether they can support you if you choose to use the increasingly popular hybrid cloud infrastructure.
• Exit strategy – Some cloud providers make it difficult or expensive for you to remove your data and transition to a different system. Make sure that any provider you choose is upfront about how exits work and will not put artificial barriers in your path if you choose to part ways.
• Compliance – Ensure that their regulatory compliance meets the requirements for your industry.
• Payments – Check their payment system carefully for hidden fees. Make sure their payment schedule and system works for your organization and your budget.
• Interface – Determine if their interface will be easy for you to use, especially if you do not have an in-house IT team. Check that their interface meets any specific requirements you have.
• Expertise – Assess their technical expertise as well as their familiarity with your industry. Make sure your IT systems are in the hands of experts.
• Migration support – Choose a partner who will give you the support you need as you transition to the cloud.
• Ongoing support – Determine what their technical and customer support looks like and if it will meet your needs.