The Benefits of Hybrid Cloud Backup
July 25, 2016 by Lore Engineering Team
Over the last couple of years, the hybrid cloud has increased in popularity. In 2014, analysts projected hybrid cloud use would double. Last year, 82 percent of all enterprises were using a hybrid cloud strategy. Companies worldwide opened up to the cloud slowly at first, with concerns about security, efficiency, and costs. However, the increase in use indicates those worries are long gone, especially since security, efficiency and costs are now widely known benefits of the hybrid model of cloud storage.
Storing data on a hybrid cloud uses an off-site server with a third party managing it. With the advancements in data encryption, server capabilities, and decreases in costs to third parties, businesses have been able to reap the benefits of the ever-changing cloud.
The following are a few of the major benefits of hybrid cloud backup for growing businesses.
Secure Storage
Many businesses adopt hybrid cloud backup for peace of mind. Data loss can be catastrophic to businesses. Sometimes, data cannot be retrieved from damaged computers. A business’s survival depends on its data, so losing it all could mean losing the business. In fact, 43 percent of companies immediately close their doors after data loss, while 51 percent are forced to shut down within two years of data loss. “Hybrid clouds make restores easier. They can save enterprises from building another datacenter or an offsite repository by instead sending backup images to a cloud provider. In the event of a failure, users can restore those images to a completely different site.” According to Mike Matchett, senior analysts at Hopkinton, Mass-based firm Taneja group.
In addition to protection against natural disasters, hybrid cloud backup saves businesses from suffering data loss due to server issues. On-site servers can fail leading to data loss. Without adequate backup, specifically hybrid cloud backup, businesses could lose valuable files important to successful daily operations.
Many businesses do not have adequate security for their computers and on-site servers. Data vulnerability can lead to attacks on the businesses through the clients they serve. Thieves can access on-site servers by burglarizing the office building or through the network. The threat thieves have can be damaging to a business’s reputation, especially if it is in an industry that holds client confidentiality at a high regard, such as those offering healthcare or financial services. With hybrid cloud backup, this does not have to be concern, as all information about clients can be safely stored off-site. With data encryption offered by hybrid cloud servers, confidentiality remains intact.
Accessible Data
Continued productivity is another consideration with hybrid cloud backup. In the cases of natural disasters and down servers, workers can continue to work because everything they need is on the cloud. As long as there is a Wi-Fi connection, all data on the cloud can be accessed, downloaded, edited, and added to whenever it is needed.
Having all of a business’s data on the cloud boosts flexibility for when and where employees work. Employees do not need to be in the office in front of their computer during normal business hours to work. As long as they can gain access to the cloud through a Wi-Fi connection, they can work from home, a coffee shop or wherever they would like at any time of the day or night. This can significantly increase productivity.
Lower Costs
Hybrid cloud backup is not as costly as on-site servers. “Hybrid cloud computing can maximize cost-efficiency, particularly capital expenditure, through competition and automated arbitrage.” says Milind Govekar, the managing vice president at Gartner research firm. Businesses do not need to invest in an IT specialist to install, backup, and upgrade servers. With no on-site storage, there are no costs in maintaining or powering the servers. Hybrid cloud backup enables businesses to use third parties to manage off-site servers, which is significantly less expensive.
Hybrid cloud costs are lower than public and private clouds as well. The orange shading in this chart by Intel represents the cost savings with the hybrid model for cloud backup. Since the hybrid model does not require hands-on management and relies heavily on the improvement of technologies, it does not cost users as much as other options. As there are more technological advancements in the efficiency of hybrid cloud backup, costs will continue to decrease.
Hybrid cloud backup is scalable for businesses, which can save them a significant amount of money. When businesses start out with the hybrid cloud, they pay for as much as they need. As their business grows, they will need additional space, which increases the cost. If there is a time when a business needs to scale back, that is also possible, which means less money needs to be spent on the hybrid cloud.
The cost efficiency of hybrid cloud backup because of off-site management and the technology of the cloud makes this backup and storage option an important consideration for businesses worldwide. Businesses are often on the lookout for ways to cut costs, and using hybrid cloud backup as opposed to on-site servers is the way to do it.
Getting Started with Hybrid Cloud Backup
The money that can be saved with hybrid cloud backup, along with the flexibility and security of it, cannot be denied as a viable option for businesses of the future. Business operations are evolving as technology advances, and cloud hybrid backups can help you keep up with the evolution.
For more information on getting started with hybrid cloud backup, contact us here.