Cloud services are perhaps most commonly recognized as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). This is probably due to the fact that this level of service wears the “halo” of virtualization. It’s one of the biggest cloud topics today: how do you secure your data assets as you move to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), i.e. the cloud?
Security remains a key concern for many small to midsize businesses (SMBs) considering the cloud. There is a sense that an environment controlled and managed by a third party is inherently less secure than one maintained in-house. However, a survey conducted recently by Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing group found that cloud computing actually improves security for SMBs.
In an IaaS offer, the customer subscribes to an operating system hosting service that functions in a virtualized environment. Once the system is delivered by the service provider, it’s up to the customer to secure his or her system. The extent of this security project will depend on the customer’s needs and what the service provider does or does not provide.
In fact, 35 percent of U.S. companies surveyed have experienced noticeably higher levels of security since moving to the cloud. As a result, 32 percent say they spend less time worrying about the threat of cyberattacks.
That’s because subscription-based cloud computing solutions — particularly Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offerings — provide SMBs with security expertise and resources they cannot match in-house. The IaaS provider ensures that system patches and anti-malware signatures are kept up-to-date, security hardware and software are optimized, and best practices are followed. The service provider’s security experts also stay abreast of the latest risks. Yet the costs of these technologies and services are spread across multiple clients, making them cost-effective for SMBs.
That translates into time and cost savings as well as greater protection against cyber threats. According to the survey, SMBs using the cloud spend 32 percent less time each week managing security than companies not using the cloud, and are five times more likely to have reduced security spending as a percentage of the overall IT budget.
SMBs are reinvesting that time and money to grow their businesses and be more competitive. Of SMBs that use the cloud, 41 percent said they were able to employ more staff in roles that directly benefit sales or business growth, 39 percent invest in more product development or innovation, and 37 percent experienced improved agility and competitiveness.
More than half of those surveyed (52 percent) said using the cloud enabled them to add new products and services that benefit their business more quickly and securely. And 42 percent said the cloud made it easier for them to scale their business to explore new markets.
Of course, it’s important to do due diligence and ensure that the IaaS provider has appropriate security mechanisms in place. SMBs should ask about the service provider’s security framework and ensure that security requirements are built into the service contract.
Bottom line: There’s a perception that security is a barrier to cloud adoption. Yet when companies embrace IaaS solutions, they typically find that the benefits far outweigh any security concerns. And IaaS can actually improve security for SMBs.
Contact us today at +91 9745550277/ +91 96333 63105 and ask us how your business can benefit from IaaS and the cloud.
Send your inquiries to sales@noconsolutions.com / arun@noconsolutions.com