While not new – the term was coined in 2006 by Google CEO Eric Schmidt - cloud computing has been steadily growing in popularity amongst businesses in recent years. This is perhaps because the implementation of cloud-based services is a crucial element of many companies’ digital transformation strategies.
The revolutionary technology has proven itself to offer a host of invaluable benefits for businesses of any size and in any sector, including enabling remote employees to work together and with their Head Offices more collaboratively.
Yet, as with any other relatively new technology, we often come across business leaders that understandably have misgivings about placing their trust in the cloud. This is partly due to a range of misconceptions about cloud computing, which are preventing businesses from enjoying the advantages that it can bring.
So, here, we are going to tackle a few of the most common concerns:
“My data is less secure with the cloud”
One of the most common misconceptions we hear is that cloud servers are somehow less secure than physical servers. However, without cloud computing, remote workers are forced to save any digital files directly to their own laptop or device. These files can then only be transferred to the company’s server when the employee is next in the office and connected to the network.
If an employee’s laptop is misplaced or stolen before company files are transferred to the server, they could be accessed by potentially malevolent third parties, which would represent a serious data breach. Confidential information is therefore rendered vulnerable as a direct result of workers not being able to access the server remotely.
Using cloud computing, remote workers can save their work directly to the cloud, benefiting from effective security measures preventing others from accessing the data, such as user-specific passwords and encryption of files.
“Cloud servers are less reliable”
Another concern is that cloud servers are unreliable and can put you at risk of losing data. This couldn’t be further from the truth; not only does the cloud protect you from viruses and theft, but it can also ensure that data is backed up effectively.
When information is stored in virtual cloud servers, it is no longer reliant on office devices or networks. Consequently, it is immune to physical damage or catastrophic events that might affect a workplace, such as fire or flooding.
With cloud solutions, data can be backed up to multiple locations and servers, providing an added level of protection.
“The cloud is too expensive for smaller businesses”
We also hear worries that cloud computing will be difficult to implement and more expensive to run. Although migrating to the cloud may incur some upfront costs, the long-term savings in IT management expenses are widely recognised.
With cloud computing, businesses no longer have to pay for the energy, hardware, software licensing, refreshes, storage space, and other things that come with managing your own software. Moving to the cloud means that they are instead using infrastructure that a provider purchases and manages, allowing them to avoid the costs of making these purchases themselves. Most providers also offer a pay-as-you-go plan that bills businesses based on usage.
The good news is that, when adopting a cloud-based digital data capture app like ours, businesses don’t have to worry about the cloud computing costs. Many providers have their own data centres, meaning the cost is included in their subscription
So it’s clear that some of cloud computing’s perceived weaknesses are actually some of its biggest strengths, helping businesses to work more securely, flexibly and affordably. Embracing new digital technologies like the cloud will prove key for companies looking to stay competitive and continue to attract the brightest new talent to its workforce in the future, so they should be exploring their options now before they get left behind.