Cloud

Storing Data In The Cloud ? Here Are 8 Things You Must Know !

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Before moving to an online storage provider make sure you have the following points covered.

 

1.Your cloud vendor must be up-to-date on data center and industry certifications

-> Your cloud storage provider must be compliant with your relevant industry’s privacy and security compliance needs (HIPAA and PCI for instance) as also with new regulations, such as SSAE 16.

2.Understanding the bandwidth limitations

-> When using cloud as your backup strategy make sure you’re aware of bandwidth limitations: both for the initial backup as well as the time when you choose to restore your data. Bandwidth and transfer speeds will indicate how long it will take to move data over the wire.

3.Encrypt your data

-> While some service providers may offer server-side encryption, it’s highly advisable you individually encrypt your data before transferring it into the cloud. In this way, only you will know how and when to decrypt it.

4.Make sure you read the service provider’s SLA before signing up

-> Ideally the service provider’s SLA should include guarantees for the applications and data it will host. It should at least cover availability of data and systems, response times for normal-issue severity levels as also response times during security issues.

5. How much the cloud will actually cost you?

-> Service providers often charge additionally for activities like ‘put and get’, DR testing and boosting bandwidth beyond a specified limit. Make sure you’re aware what is covered in your monthly service plan and what all is extra.

6.Always recover/restore your data

-> Make sure you find out how quickly you’ll be able to recover/restore your data should you witness data loss or disruption. Make sure you do that before committing your data to a vendor.

7.Say no to overbuying storage

-> Avoid buying more storage than you actually need since data centres are known to reduce drastically in prices year on year. A
pay-as-you-go model will drive cost effectiveness and efficiency.

8.Always have a backup plan

-> Always have a backup plan to move to a new cloud service with minimal disruption in the event of leaving a particular cloud.