As more businesses shift their operations to the cloud, the idea of moving your servers from on-premise to a cloud hosting solution has likely crossed your mind. After all, the benefits of migration are clear, but ensuring a smooth transition for your business also requires a knowledgeable partner. So, when you decide to finally make the switch and embrace cloud-based hosting, make sure that you are also partnering with a company that has grown and is familiar with the technology, as experience is crucial when deciding which provider to go with. Here are some other common risks to consider when moving or maintaining your data in the cloud and how to address them to ensure a successful transition.
Why People Make the Switch
Before diving into the risks, it is important to understand why so many companies are opting for cloud hosting in the first place. Some of the most compelling benefits include:
- Scalability: Cloud hosting allows you to easily adjust IT resources based on demand without needing to invest in physical hardware upgrades
- Cost Efficiency: Some providers allow you to pay a flat, predictable rate rather than facing hefty, upfront infrastructure costs
- Reliability and Uptime: Data is stored across multiple servers, ensuring continuous availability and minimizing downtime risks
- Disaster Recovery and Backup: Cloud backup solutions make it easier to recover quickly in the event of a disaster or data failure
- Enhanced Security: Advanced security measures like encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems provide better protection for your data
These advantages make the cloud a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes, but as with most things in life, there are certain risks you should be aware of before making the switch.
Avoid These Common Risks
While cloud hosting offers a variety of meaningful benefits, it is important to be aware of potential pitfalls. Here are a few common risks you should be mindful of when moving to or maintaining data in the cloud:
Doing It Alone: One major risk is attempting to migrate your systems to the cloud without expert assistance. While this may seem like a cost-saving measure, any mistakes made during the transition could result in much higher costs in the long run. A partner like SWK Technologies has the experience to ensure your move to the cloud is seamless – avoiding costly errors.
Underutilization: Cloud hosting offers numerous features, but if your provider fails to fully implement them, your business could be missing out. You need to remember that it is crucial to choose a provider who understands your business needs and can maximize the advantages of the cloud for your operations. Do not let a lack of experience result in wasted resources.
Not Staying Vigilant: Although cloud hosting does improve your cybersecurity standing, falling victim to complacency is incredibly dangerous. Hackers often rely on human error, like phishing attacks and spam emails, to infiltrate networks. Security must remain a top priority, even with an already successful implementation of cloud hosting. However, your provider can help by offering ongoing training, such as SWK’s Security Awareness Training, to keep your team prepared.
SWK’s Secure Cloud Hosting
Choosing the right cloud provider is crucial for a successful transition, and SWK is one of the top choices for small and medium-sized businesses. SWK was the first to offer built-in cybersecurity solutions specifically tailored to SMBs. With Secure Cloud Hosting (SCH), businesses gain access to a secure, cost-effective hosting solution for their critical business applications.
SCH provides full-service hosting for ERP, CRM, network monitoring software, and other essential applications, transforming your technology infrastructure. This service eliminates the need for costly hardware, lowering your overall software infrastructure costs. SCH is the ideal solution for businesses looking to move their accounting software fully to the cloud, or seeking a hybrid on-premise and cloud-based setup.
Start Your Cloud Journey with SWK Today
When it comes to migrating to the cloud, SWK has decades of combined experience helping SMBs make the switch. Unlike larger providers like AWS and Azure, SWK will guide you through setting up hosting for your ERP and other critical applications. With our award-winning team your cloud migration will be as efficient as possible. Contact us today to schedule a call and take the first step toward a more secure and streamlined future in the cloud.