More than likely, you’re aware that cloud computing options have significantly changed the IT landscape for many organizations. As such, chances are rather good that you’re at least considering migrating mission-critical systems to the cloud. However, you may not be familiar with the security challenges that can hamper your best efforts at digital transformation.

Successful cloud migration is dependent on being able to identify these challenges and overcoming them. Your team may not currently be equipped to handle each and every one of these trials. However, there are certain strategies that you can implement to augment their knowledge and strengthen your infrastructure overall. Learn about security and monitoring challenges you may encounter within the cloud and how to get past them below.

A Concerning Challenge

Users’ personal data security is a crucial concern in cloud computing environments. However, the security challenges for these environments are somewhat vast and rather dynamic. A crucial challenge facing organizations these days is the actual location where data is stored. While flexibility is one of the most prominent features of cloud computing, location transparency can also be a security threat. When you drill down, you’ll find that some hosting providers are simply reselling hosting space or outsourcing cloud work to another provider. This is usually because they focus on other services. Alternatively, they may also not have the required in-house talent to manage the environment themselves.

Not knowing specifically where your data is stored can complicate things. It’s important because otherwise there is no way of knowing whether local data protection practices match international stringent safeguards. Laws in the US, UK, and other countries apply based on where your data is stored. These lapses can result in security risks. It could also potentially leave the data subject to compromise due to lacking security measures generally considered normal practices.

This crucial security challenge with the cloud is easy to overcome and eliminate with just a little due diligence. Communication is vital in any business transaction. When it comes to your organization’s infrastructure and the scores of data you’re responsible for, it’s essential. You must fully question potential hosting partners about the fine details. Here are two questions that can help steer your organization to the right cloud partner:

1. Are you partnered with anyone to provide this cloud service?
2. Where are the physical servers located?

Another Critical Cloud Challenge

A second yet equally crucial challenge within this transformation is the actual security of your data. Determining the physical location of servers is essential, you also have to focus on the potential host’s governing security practices. Data security is more important with cloud hosting because of unknown outside threats and the constant potential of virus and malware attacks. Malicious users, as well as well-organized entities and state actors, know how valuable data hosted on the cloud is. These entities spend countless hours working to steal or even destroy that information and it’s your job to prevent it.

It’s no secret that there is a lot of personal information stored on the cloud. Unfortunately, there are still all too many hosting providers that do not give security the attention it demands. However, once again, this potential issue can be virtually eradicated with just a little deeper digging with your cloud host. Partnering with an established cloud provider is a big step in the right direction, especially those with a portfolio comparable to your organization’s needs.

Compliance

Additionally, take the time to find out if they are HIPAA, HITECH, and PCI compliant. Numerous organizations are required to abide by these stringent regulations and chances are pretty good that they apply to at least some part of your operations. Even if you aren’t in a regulated industry, cloud hosting providers that offer these services are generally more security-minded.

Those that provide expert services across public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud are also more likely to meet your security needs. Furthermore, you should consider the actual platforms that the provider is not only capable of supporting, but also has the in-house talent with actual experience. Versatility will not only help eliminate data breach concerns, but it can also provide you a one-stop-shop for multiple aspects of your operations.

Facing the Challenges Head-on

The challenges presented above can have severe consequences if not addressed appropriately. Discount cloud hosting may seem like manna from heaven, but it can end up costing you more in the end. Knowing where your data is hosted and what type of security and expertise is behind your organization’s critical infrastructure is tantamount to security.

Contact Connectria today for more information. Our solutions architects will listen to your needs and customize a cloud solution that’s perfect for your current and future requirements. A partnership with Connectria gives you the power and knowledge of a well-respected, global technology solutions provider. We have charted the course in what it means to go the “extra mile” for customers for over 20 years and we have a team comprised of industry veterans with years of experience as well as new talent trained on the latest technology.

Connectria’s security and compliance experts can help you maintain a secure, compliant environment, whether you house your workloads in your data center or ours. We maintain expertise in HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, FERPA, and more as well, ensuring that your compliance requirements are always met.