Despite hypergrowth and widespread market adoption, some small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) remain suspicious about the cloud.
If you fall into this category, you’re not alone, and I’m glad you’re here. I can’t wait to share the good news, impart a few caveats, and dismantle some popular myths.
The time is now because market forces are driving everyone to the cloud anyway. I know. No one likes to have their arm twisted. However, it’s more palatable if you approach the journey with a clear set of eyes and expectations.
#1 – The cloud is your best bet for enhanced cybersecurity.
Cloud solutions easily integrate with other cloud solutions. This irreversible trend makes cloud to cloud interoperability a much shorter and less circuitous path than the route from cloud to premise-based equipment.
All of the market-leading solutions in the cybersecurity space are cloud-based and purpose-built to activate from a web browser:
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Security Information and Event Management (SEIM)
- Email Security
- Everything from Microsoft
Microsoft includes many of the tools mentioned above on its Azure Platform. And there are countless options to augment your Microsoft environment with the seamless integration of third-party solutions.
Learn More: Microsoft Azure Sentinel
#2 – The cloud is the most convenient way to provide access 24/7/365.
Today’s workforce is constantly on the move. Hybrid work is gaining popularity with your team attacking workloads in the office, at home, in coffee shops, in the bleachers during little league games, on planes, beaches, and more.
Access is not limited to business hours. This is good because there are two things all employees dislike: negotiating traffic to reach a server-based file share and wasting time trying to remotely access a server-based file share through an unreliable VPN.
Another challenge that won’t go away: younger employees, a majority of today’s talent pool, will pick and choose companies based on quality of life benefits. If they can’t work remotely for you, they’ll work remotely for one of your competitors.
And while no employer likes turnover (nobody stays at the same job for very long these days), cloud solutions make the onboarding and the offboarding process quick, easy, and much more secure than premise-based technology. We’re talking minutes instead of several days!
Learn More: Microsoft 365 Azure Conditional Access
#3 – The cloud simplifies security and compliance management.
Storing your data onsite is risky and doesn’t comport with the latest security and compliance mandates. Microsoft has a simple solution to this challenge, and it aligns with The National Institute of Standards and Technology or NIST.
Thanks to Microsoft 365, every detail of your computing environment can be architected with a regulator-approved IT blueprint. This IT system in the cloud can increase or decrease in size, scope, and cost depending on your exact needs and headcount, at any given time.
Even better, every last detail is available for reporting to satisfy the most demanding prospects, clients, auditors, insurance companies, and attorneys if a data privacy incident occurs.
You can’t prevent all security breaches, but solid documentation provides proof of due care and limitation of liability.
Learn More: Simplify Cybersecurity with M365 and NIST
What’s Next?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention other benefits like continuous innovation and updates, lower capital expenditures, and the need for less real estate space.
Cloud solutions are also supported by an expansive ecosystem of MSPs incentivized by Microsoft to provide value-added management and consulting expertise.
Now for a quick warning: you don’t always save money with the cloud because it’s an ongoing, operational expense. However, the move to the cloud is often motivated by the need for increased agility. And increased agility leads to operating leverage and financial gains that justify the endeavor.
Learn More: The Top Ten Cloud Myths
Do you need help creating a cloud migration plan? Integris welcomes a conversation.
