Deciding which type of storage architecture is right for a particular organization requires a knowledge of the data resources to be stored and the alternative available solutions. Questions need to be answered regarding the amount of data the needs to be in ‘hot’ storage where it can be accessed immediately as opposed to ‘cold’ storage for long-term archival retention. There may also be security concerns that affect the data associated with certain mission-critical or sensitive applications.
On-Premises Versus Cloud Storage
Here’s how on-premises and cloud storage compare on multiple fronts. An on-premises storage environment can also be referred to as a private cloud.
Cost
The financial burden involved with providing reliable data storage is one of the factors that initially drives customers to search out cloud solutions. Purchasing on-premises storage devices is expensive and requires capital expenditures that may be prohibitive to some organizations. The upside of this arrangement is that the enterprise owns the devices and can better understand and control costs.
Cloud storage does not necessitate a large initial financial outlay. This can make it an attractive option for organizations not prepared to part with their hard-earned cash. Over time, the initial savings can evaporate due to the continued operating expenses demanded by the cloud provider. These recurring expenses will not go away and may go up over time.
Data security and privacy
The security and privacy of enterprise data resources are vitally important. There are tradeoffs involved when considering how these concerns are handled with public or private cloud storage options. If an organization keeps its data in-house, it can exert complete control over it. It is, however, limited to the technological expertise and solutions possessed by the enterprise.
Cloud providers can offer focused expertise that provides enhanced security to data assets. The drawback is that the data is out of the original enterprise’s control which may result in privacy or compliance issues.
Scaleability
The ability to rapidly scale up and down to address business needs is one of the overriding benefits of cloud storage. An enterprise can fine-tune their capacity with a cloud provider in ways that are virtually impossible with on-premises purchases.
Adopting a Hybrid Solution
Organizations taking advantage of a hybrid approach to data storage can get the best of both worlds with some forethought and planning. A hybrid cloud storage implementation involves the combination of cloud and on-premises devices and applications that are securely linked and operating in concert.
IT architects need to balance the security, scaleability, and cost factors when designing the storage infrastructure. While it may at first seem that archiving to the cloud makes sense, the long-term costs may make an in-house solution a better financial choice. Security may be able to be addressed more effectively by cloud providers except for extremely critical data resources that benefit from enterprise expertise.
Finding the right mix of cloud and on-premises storage solutions can result in more effective data processing and reduced costs. It’s worth investigating if a hybrid storage architecture can benefit your organization.