Cloud Migration: Moving Data, Apps, and IT Processes - Essay Sample

Introduction

Cloud migration entails the various strategies of moving digital data, applications, and other Information Technology (IT) processes of an organization to the cloud computing environment. The process can involve the transfer of business data and applications to a public cloud from a local data center. However, in some cases, the procedure consists of the transmission of data in the reverse direction, that is, from the public cloud back to the local center. Also, cloud migration could involve the movement of organizational data from one cloud provider to another. Like any other shift in corporate operations, a cloud migration process requires adequate planning and preparation before data transfer. The cloud service preferred by the firm determines the success of the process. Each cloud service demands specific requirements for the movement of data and applications. The analysis in this paper focusses on the various considerations and conditions related to cloud storage.

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The advancement of technology has resulted in a corresponding expansion of business enterprises and subsequent growth in their data volumes. As a result, cloud storage has become an integral tool in the operations of entities. It provides a variety of solutions to companies’ storage problems, depending on their budget and business needs. However, there are several cloud storage service providers, making it difficult for firms to identify the right solution (Vester, 2016). Therefore, the companies must consider various factors such as service levels to make the appropriate decision. The availability and quality of functions are outlined in the service level agreement (SLA). The contract negotiations occur between the cloud services provider and its customer, which illustrates the services' nature and standards. The cloud is known to be dynamic, and therefore it is a requirement to enforce SLAs to monitor the progress of the services. The SLA is also required to build trust by the business enterprises (clients) on the cloud provider (Patel, Ranabahu, & Sheth, 2009). It mainly crucial in the case where the customer is outsourcing its critical data and operational information to the service provider.

The security of data and privacy has consistently been an essential requirement in cloud computing services. Cloud data security includes the protection of information, data privacy, and location of data, availability, and safe transmission of data. A trustworthy environment acts as a fundamental aspect that is crucial in winning the confidence of existing and potential users (Sun et al., 2014). Data loss, external malicious attacks, and disruption of services, present significant threats to organizational data in the cloud. It is a requirement to consider reputable providers who can provide assurances on various security measures such as encryption of data at all the stages of its transmission process. At the same time, the clients must obtain a guarantee from the service providers on the access to control of the data. The firm must consider a cloud storage platform that guarantees data accessibility to only authorized personnel, even when stored in the storage nodes (Roman et al., 2016).

On the other hand, it is also a requirement for the business enterprise to establish the cost of outsourcing its storage functions to cloud providers. Transmission of data requires technical tools and financial attention to facilitate adequate bandwidth without straining the firm financially (Vester, 2016). Over recent years, several cloud storage providers have emerged, which has resulted in competitive pricing. The service providers have pricing structures that differ from one another based on the quality of the services offered. In most cases, the service's price depends on the capacity of data that the client is willing to migrate to the cloud. Other price determinants include set-up fees, downloads, uploads, drive restores, and overall maintenance. The main aim of cloud computing and storage is to reduce operating costs and financial stress. Therefore, a company needs to review its budget and consider its needs before choosing a particular cloud storage provider.

Finally, cloud storage should ensure that all the firm's internet devices are interconnected, and data is accessible from any of them. The system must have a login system that allows retrieval of data at any time and place (Roman et al., 2016). The firm must consider a cloud storage service that is easy to use and facilitates quick data updates. Location is also a crucial consideration in cloud data storage since it influences the availability of the information to the user. Vester 2016, argues that the availability of data is often contingent on distance. For instance, the migration of extensive data and applications of a company presents the risks of blocking it. The dangers are more severe when the data center of the storage provider is located far away from the client. Also, several countries have different laws that govern the accessibility of data; therefore, a separate location of the two parties reduces the assurances of quality services. As a result, companies must consider the cloud storage provider's site and the size of data to be transferred before making their decision. There is also a need to have a guarantee on the recovery plan in the case of a natural disaster for data centers that are located in exposed regions.

References

Patel, P., Ranabahu, A. H., & Sheth, A.P. (2009). Service Level Agreement in Cloud Computing. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/knoesis/78/

Roman, R., Felipe, M.R., Gene, P.E., Zhou, J. (2016). Complying with Security Requirements in Cloud Storage Systems. Journal of Computers, 11(3): 201-206

Sun, Y.M., Zhang, J., Xiong, Y., & Zhu, G. (2014). Data Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks.

Vester, R. (2016). Five Considerations for Cloud Storage. ITWEB. https://www.itweb.co.za/content/WKBpdg7p4GG7LEew