Are you making these cloud computing mistakes?
There’s no denying that Cloud technology has changed the way the modern world works, and it’s been further thrust into the forefront with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and the considerable increase in remote working. However, as with all new technologies, there are dos and don’ts you should consider.
Here are the five common mistakes I see people making when using cloud-based solutions and services, highlighting what they are and how you can avoid them, ultimately ensuring your cloud experience is as productive and as secure as it can be,
1. Not Matching Bandwidth to Needs
It can be frustrating when everyone in your business is working, meaning they’re uploading and downloading files all the time, and your cloud service doesn’t provide bandwidth to match. Everything is going to be incredibly slow, and you’re not going to get much work done.
If you want a streamlined experience where people can work seamlessly and without issue, make sure you’re investing in enough bandwidth.
2. Cloud Computing Mistake: Not Considering Potential Applications
Since cloud-based services are now mainstream, there are many applications that can be used to enhance your experience and carry out certain tasks. However, if you set up your cloud service but you don’t think about what applications you’re using, only what files you’re going to be looking after, you’re going to run into problems.
This is especially important if you plan on growing your business. If you don’t give yourself enough room for applications, this can create what is known as ‘growing pains’ and can become very disruptive when you’re trying to make everything work together down the line.
Make sure you’re planning for the future as much as you can.
3. Unnecessary User Access
When granting access to cloud services, you must make sure you’re only giving people access to the files and folders they need. If you give everyone access to everything, you’re dramatically increasing the risk that something is going to go wrong. After all, only one person needs to be comprised of everything in your network to be then compromised.
Ensure you are creating roles within your cloud network, so people only have access to what they need, and that’s it. Any sensitive data should be stored securely where only necessary people can get in.
4. Cloud Computing Mistake: Not Budgeting Properly
Of course, cloud technology costs money, and the more you need from service providers, such as access, features, security, bandwidth, and more, the more it’s going to cost. With this in mind, you need to make sure you’re shopping around the best deals and finding a pricing system that works for you.
It’s also important to remember that, at some point, you’re probably going to want your business to grow, so you’ll need to make sure your solution is scalable. Some cloud providers may lock you into a certain pricing plan for a set contract time, especially if they’re offering you the service as a deal.
It’s important to make sure you’re checking this because you don’t want to attempt to scale down the line, only to find out that you’re unable too unless you invest massively. Make sure you’re planning for the future and thinking about before setting up your infrastructure.
5. Not Encrypting Your Files
This mistake is far more common than it should be. If you’re not encrypting your files, anybody will be able to hack into your system and take your information or cause damage to your network. It’s vital you use 256-bit encryption, which is the most modern and most up to date. You should be able to get this from your service provider.
You also need to make sure you’re training your staff so that they know how to access and use your cloud services securely. This means making sure your users are creating strong passwords, are using VPNs to protect their internet connection, have adequate security and anti-virus software on their computers, avoid using public Wi-Fi access points where possible, and never leaving their computers unattended.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that cloud-based solutions can do wonders for your business, but if you’re not being mindful of what you’re doing and you’re not covering and protecting yourself from cloud computing mistakes, these services can also cause a lot of problems. To prevent this from happening, look out for these five mistakes, and try to do everything as properly as you can!
Summary:
5 Cloud Computing Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Matching Bandwidth to Needs. 2. Not Considering Potential Applications. 3. Unnecessary User Access. 4. Not Budgeting Properly. 5. Not Encrypting Your Files.
