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Cloud integration platforms empower businesses to scale on a global level by connecting processes, databases, applications, and development environments. Cloud integration platforms unlock myriad opportunities for businesses to grow but only if they are integrated correctly.
Instead of building and maintaining in-house computer infrastructure, corporations can store and access everything they need online. Before you invest in a cloud integration system, learn more about your organization’s needs and the scalability of multiple providers. Here are four common cloud integration mistakes most businesses make, along with tips on how to avoid them.
Mistake # 1: Not Properly Aligning Bandwidth With Business Needs
The nature of services a business offers and customer expectations play an important role in determining the appropriate amount of bandwidth. Slow applications and Internet performance slow down operations in a cloud setup and negatively impact customer experience.
While delays won’t affect many applications (e.g., email), it’s a big issue. There is no room for delay in trading apps or voiceover IP services. Before initiating your cloud integration project, communicate with your cloud provider about how much bandwidth your company needs.
Mistake #2: Lack of Planning For Applications
Not all cloud platforms are created equal when supporting firm-related apps such as order management systems and portfolio accounting systems. For instance, the investment management business may not need these applications initially, but they will need to use them once the business scales in the future. When choosing cloud integration, the company should anticipate and prepare ahead of time to prevent potential problems. List down all the applications that you may want to add in the future and share that list with your cloud consultant or service provider.
Mistake #3: Assuming Robust Security Measures are Already in Place
Cybersecurity concerns are at the forefront of the finance and investment industries, and rightly so. The risks of security breaches and incidents are significant. Firms should inquire about the on-site security layers when evaluating a cloud provider and ensure that the cloud is subject to repeated risk assessments. As we have said before, not all cloud integration platforms are created equal, and security is one of the most important facets that your business shouldn’t miss.
Mistake #4: Lack of Cloud Service Level Agreements on Site
The Cloud Standards Customer Council defines cloud service level agreements i.e. SLAs to establish service expectations between cloud customers and their respective service providers. According to the Council, companies should review cloud SLAs using a variety of measures, including but not limited to the following points:
- Identifying tasks and responsibilities
- Distinguishing between service and deployment models
- Reviewing security and privacy requirements
- Examining disaster recovery options
- Identifying the way out if the company wants to change cloud setup
Mistake #5: Assuming Cloud Computing Service Protects Their Data
Another common mistake many businesses make is assuming that cloud computing protects their data. Sorry, but that’s not true. Even if you’re using a cloud-based solution, you should continue to encrypt and secure your data to prevent data theft.
Using 256-bit encryption to secure the rest of the data is a data security measure you must take. You can also use an appropriate key management system to secure encryption keys and monitor and verify the responsibilities assigned to each member of the user base in terms of access to information. These security protocols protect your firm from potentially deadly malicious attacks and data breaches.
We hope you’ll understand the common mistakes in cloud integration and avoid them by following the tips above. Of course, we all make mistakes, but making mistakes in cloud integration can be catastrophic, so you should be careful when working with cloud software.
Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoData.io