Everybody knows the differences between using software housed in a company- or home-based server versus subscribing to that same software through a cloud service, right? Maybe, but maybe not; sometimes theres a gray area connecting them, and a user might know some of the differences, but its more likely he or she wont know them all.
Like a good baseball player who takes extra reps in the field and batting practice each day, we all need to go back and revisit the fundamentals now and then. So we spell out these cloud facts for you here in this article, and theyre equally as important for seasoned veterans as they are for newbies. Hopefully, we include the most important facts to help you with questions involving your own use cases.
Cloud computing lowers IT ops costs because the cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, including hardware and software. Those managed components are typically more reliable and secure than the standard corporate data center because thats the providers main business. These advantages enable IT teams to focus on work that more directly benefits the company.
The cloud is also global, convenient, eminently scalable, and accessible, all of which accelerate the time to create and deploy software applications. It opens organizations to a host of newer services that enable the most popular trends in application architectures and uses, including microservices, containers, serverless computing, machine learning, large-scale data analytics, IoT, and more.
Cloud computing has become an integral part of business operations and personal computing However, like any technology, it has both advantages and disadvantages. In this comprehensive article, I will provide a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of cloud computing to help you make an informed decision about whether to adopt it
What is Cloud Computing?
Before diving into the pros and cons, let’s first understand what cloud computing is. Cloud computing refers to storing, accessing and processing data, apps, and services over the internet instead of on a local server or personal device. The cloud service providers maintain large servers and data centers, and users connect to these remote servers via the internet to store or retrieve data as well as use apps or services.
The cloud computing model has three main service categories
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Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) – Provides access to networking features, computers, and data storage space. The user still manages the OS, applications, etc. Examples: AWS EC2, Microsoft Azure.
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Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) – Provides an environment for developing, testing and deploying software applications. The service provider manages the underlying infrastructure. Example: AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
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Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – Provides access to complete end-user applications that are managed by the service provider. Example: Gmail, Slack, Salesforce.
Now let’s look at the key pros and cons of adopting cloud computing:
Pros of Cloud Computing
1. Reduced IT Costs
Cloud computing eliminates the capital expense of buying hardware and software and setting up and running an on-site data center. It also reduces the need for in-house IT experts to manage infrastructure.
2. Scalability
Cloud computing providers like AWS and Azure make it easy to scale up or down based on demand. This allows you to quickly scale up during peak periods and scale down during lighter traffic periods to save costs.
3. Business Continuity
Storing data and apps in the cloud minimizes the risk of data loss and downtime from hardware failures or disasters. Cloud providers regularly back up data in multiple locations to ensure continuity.
4. Collaboration Efficiency
Cloud computing improves collaboration and workflow management by allowing dispersed teams to access info and communicate from any location. File syncing and sharing apps like Dropbox improve collaboration.
5. Mobility
Employees can access company data and apps from any device with an internet connection. This enables mobile work-from-home options for employees.
6. Regular Updates
The service provider manages updates and patches for apps and infrastructure, so you always have access to the latest technology.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Cloud computing is paperless and minimizes hardware manufacturing and disposal waste. Data centers optimize hardware usage through virtualization, so fewer servers are needed.
Cons of Cloud Computing
1. Internet Reliance
If you lose internet connectivity for any reason, you won’t be able to access your apps, servers, or data in the cloud.
2. Security Risks
Storing data and apps on external cloud servers can be less secure than onsite options. However, most cloud providers have robust security measures in place.
3. Initial Migration Challenges
Migrating existing legacy apps or infrastructure to the cloud requires time and expertise to ensure proper configuration and integration.
4. Vendor Lock-in
It can be difficult to switch or migrate between cloud vendors due to proprietary APIs and architectures. Evaluate provider agreements carefully.
5. Limited Customization
You rely more on the provider for your configurations and have less control compared to on-premises infrastructure.
6. Compliance Risks
You must ensure that your cloud provider meets all necessary regulatory compliance requirements for security, data locations, etc.
7. Cost Management Challenges
The pay-per-use pricing model can lead to unexpected spikes in costs if usage isn’t tracked and managed properly. Implement billing alerts and budget thresholds.
Key Use Cases for Cloud Computing
Here are some of the most popular ways businesses are using cloud computing:
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Data Storage – For cost-effective, scalable storage of files, databases, archives, etc. Options like S3, Glacier provide vast capacity.
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Disaster Recovery – To access replicated systems at an alternate site if a disaster occurs on-premises.
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Application Development – For scalable, rapid development and testing of applications before deployment.
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Big Data Analytics – To leverage vast computing power for analyzing huge datasets using tools like Hadoop and Spark.
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DevOps – To improve collaboration between dev and ops teams through tools like AWS CodeCommit, Jenkins, etc.
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Web Apps – To deploy auto-scaling web apps and websites that can handle sudden traffic spikes.
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Mobile Apps – To build and deploy the backend for scalable mobile apps with services like AWS Amplify.
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IoT Apps – To ingest, process and analyze huge amounts of data from IoT devices.
Cloud Computing Deployment Models
There are three main ways to implement cloud computing:
Public Cloud
- Uses servers, storage and infrastructure provided by third-party cloud providers via the internet.
- Highly scalable, flexible and cost-effective.
- Examples: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud.
Private Cloud
- Uses a cloud infrastructure provisioned for a single organization’s exclusive use.
- Can be hosted internally or externally with a third-party.
- Enhanced security and control but requires expertise to setup and manage.
Hybrid Cloud
- Combines public and private clouds.
- Allows you to extend or expand on-premises infrastructure with public cloud capabilities.
- Provides the most flexibility but is complex to configure.
Key Things to Consider Before Adopting Cloud Computing
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Clearly identify business needs and suitable workloads for cloud migration. Not all apps may be suited to the cloud.
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Evaluate security requirements carefully as the cloud brings unique challenges.
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Assess migration costs and effort associated with moving to the cloud.
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Review cloud vendor agreements carefully for SLAs, uptimes, liability, etc.
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Monitor cloud usage continuously to optimize costs and prevent unexpected spikes.
The pros of scalability, business continuity and collaboration often make cloud computing irresistible for businesses, despite risks like security and vendor lock-in. With careful planning and monitoring, most downsides can be mitigated. For new applications with dynamic scale needs, the cloud may be the smartest choice. Legacy apps may benefit from a hybrid model. As with any new technology, there is a learning curve to use it safely and efficiently. With time however, the cloud offers great potential to improve business agility and efficiency.
Technology vulnerabilities, especially in shared environments
- Sharing a cloud provider has some associated risks. The most common cloud security issues include unauthorized access through improper access controls and the misuse of employee credentials. According to industry surveys, unauthorized access and insecure APIs are tied for the No. 1 spot as the single biggest perceived security vulnerability in the cloud. Others include internet protocol vulnerabilities, data recovery vulnerability, metering, billing evasion, vendor security risks, compliance and legal risks, and availability risks.
Automated backup/restore of files and data
- Cloud backup is a service in which the data and applications on a businesss servers are backed up and stored on a remote server. Companies opt to back up to the cloud to keep files and data readily available in the event of a system failure, outage, or natural disaster. Users also can do this on private or corporate servers, but cloud-service providers do this as standard practice 24/7, and users dont have to think about it.
On Premise VS Cloud Computing – Pros and Cons Comparison
How does cloud computing affect your business?
However, most businesses rely on the internet for most tasks and tools, so cloud computing is no different from the existing online platforms that businesses typically use. Another internet factor that affects cloud computing is that large cloud backups can slow down the internet performance.
What happens if you don’t have a cloud computing solution?
Without a cloud computing solution, all of your data is tied to the physical computers they reside in. If your local hardware experiences a problem or gets destroyed, you might end up losing your data.
What are the advantages of cloud computing?
It: Easily the biggest advantage of cloud computing is that it significantly cuts your overhead. Let’s say you want to set up an on-premises network. It’s not just the servers that cost money. You’ll also need a special room to house them, electricity, and someone to keep an eye on things. In comparison, a cloud server is 79% cheaper to run.
How does cloud computing affect it teams?
While IT teams lower their capital expenses with cloud computing because they’re not buying hardware and software, they also add non-trivial operating expenses to their budgets — often enough to offset most or all of their operational savings. Complex pricing and security models can also lead to major problems if IT teams are unable to adapt.
