What You Should Know About The Hybrid Cloud

Looking for ways to improve the way you operate your data? Chances are you’ve come across the term “hybrid cloud”.

The hybrid cloud is the combination of a public cloud provider such as Google Cloud, teamed with a private cloud platform that is designed specifically for a single organization. The public and private cloud infrastructures operate independently of each other and communicate over an encrypted connection.

While many reports might have you believing that the hybrid cloud is a relatively new phenomenon, in reality, it’s one of the oldest processes we currently use for controlling our business data in the online world. The moment you start paying for a public cloud service, no matter how small the service may be, you are in a hybrid cloud model. “Hybrid cloud” simply means you’re delivering IT services using more than one hosting model.

What matters most in a hybrid world is the security of your data. In some cases, combining services can add to the safety of your internal data. And in some cases, you can leave yourself wide open for anyone to break into. What determines your success is how you adopt these services and create rules and processes to ensure its success.

The Hybrid Cloud Means Many Providers
In the past, it was easy to try and keep all the control in-house, purchasing software and controlling it on internal databases. With a hybrid cloud, it moves past the all-eggs-in-one-basket approach and moves to finding the right solutions to give your business practices the best advantage. In most cases, that means multiple vendors to gain access to the tools and technology that will benefit you most. Then working with an IT specialist who can help you securely bring them all together for a dynamic approach to controlling all aspects of your business data.

Creating A Single Identity Is Essential
As you set up a hybrid system, multiple vendors are a given. It’s easy to get lost in core benefits of each system as a whole without discovering how they all integrate together to ensure you have a single identity from one system to another. In all cases, a businesses priority is about creating the best user experience possible. That means they seamlessly transition from one platform to another without realizing it in the process. Before you get caught up in the individual details of each platform, ensure they will have seamless transition as you design and develop your overall flow.

Hybrid Always Means Evolving
Businesses never operate in a stagnant environment. Every system they use morphs and changes all the time. The larger your organization, the more difficult that process can be. But the speed of innovation dictates transition plans and quickly identifies weaknesses and areas in need of improvement. It’s not necessary to move everything you use all at once. Instead, it’s important to identify the tipping points of each system and process in your business environment and when it makes sense to move to a new and improved model. Over time, as you discover things that are holding you back, you can find providers that provide the applications that will improve what you do. Incorporate them over time to ensure smooth transition without handing over safety in the process.

How secure is the hybrid cloud system you’re creating for your business?