Disaster Recovery and Cloud Computing

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Cloud Computing

As a relatively new player in the business world, cloud computing offers services previously only dreamed of. The ability to provide secure access to company data from anywhere in the world makes telecommuting a real possibility for employees and employers around the globe. Ease of access, full time server management and immediate crisis response are some of the major benefits of moving operations to the cloud. Online storage and computing is not without its downfalls, however. Cost of operation will be higher over time as there is a fee for continued access, amount of storage, cpu cycles, and bandwidth required. While a locally hosted server and network may have a much higher initial cost, the cost of cloud computing can be higher over time.

Despite the possibility of higher costs over time, cloud computing offers many advantages. All equipment is managed by the hosting company and there is no cost to us in the event of a failure. Many companies will compensate their clients with free access time in the event of an unscheduled outage. There are minimal equipment costs associated with cloud computing as the typical access method is via laptop or mobile device. These devices would have to be purchased regardless of which style of operation was chosen, so the cost not anything above what would be expected when building a locally hosted server. In addition, because of the remote and highly secure nature of cloud computing, employees can access the data they need to be productive from anywhere while helping the company to keep its information secure and accessible.

Disaster Recovery

Doing business digitally has many potential pitfalls. A single piece of equipment failing at precisely the wrong time could cripple a business, leaving them unable to operate for days, or even weeks depending on the severity of the failure. Data stored digitally can be corrupted and, if left unprotected, is subject to being stolen or tampered with by outside sources. Having a plan in place to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a failure is critical. Ensuring that necessary security measures are in place to not only protect important data, but to shield it from potential harm or loss is also key to survival in the business world of today.

By ensuring that appropriate power, storage and backup systems are in place, we can minimize the potential for any downtime with the company or for its clients. Minimal expenses such as battery backups and additional hard drives allow for data to be saved and stored in a manner that protects them from loss or corruption. Implementing security measures as discussed in my presentation will help to ensure that critical company data is kept secure. Utilizing multiple methods of both hard and soft security is important when considering how to secure data.

Cloud computing is another option that negates the need for much of the security and redundancy that a locally hosted network requires. There is only minimal initial investment, as the majority of the equipment is maintained by the hosting company. The security is also provided almost completely by the host company, with the exception of ensuring computers are kept up to date and have adequate virus protection installed and maintained. Another major benefit to could computing is the allowance for company growth. Access isn’t restricted by how many machines can be connected to a local network, it is instead governed by fees related to the amount of storage, bandwidth and cpu cycles needed to process the user requests. This allows a company to grow unhindered by the typical constraints of hardware and system administration. Overall, moving to cloud computing has the potential to increase efficiency and cut costs for the company while providing better security for critical data.

References

Why Move To The Cloud? 10 Benefits Of Cloud Computing. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://www.salesforce.com/uk/blog/2015/11/why-move-to-the-cloud-10-benefits-of-cloud-computing.html

Schouten, I. E. (2015, August 06). The Organizational Impact of the Cloud. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://www.wired.com/insights/2012/11/the-organizational-impact-of-the-cloud

Editors, F. T. (2017, May 19). The Benefits Of Moving To The Cloud. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/05/19/the-benefits-of-moving-to-the-cloud/#4c33a3a34733