Digitalization of data is the future of storing business documents. Cloud computing is a technology that is leading in this regard through its three solutions: private, public, and shared deployment. Hybrid cloud networking works on the premise of combining the benefits of private and public clouds. Many companies have adopted this next generation of IT infrastructure into their business operations, but are the benefits all that await them? Are there drawbacks that they have overlooked?
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of hybrid cloud networking
Being aware of the upsides and downsides can allow a business to implement the system after a careful evaluation of their business needs.
Pros of Hybrid Cloud Networking
Employing hybrid cloud networks can bring many benefits to a firm, such as improved scalability and flexibility while solidifying security and optimizing costs.
Scalability and Flexibility
Having a hybrid cloud allows a business to allocate resources strategically. For data sensitive workloads that are essential to business functions that require heavy security, a private cloud resource can be utilized. And, for data with low susceptibility to attacks, a public cloud resource can be used. It also makes the business agile; for example, large-scale analytics can be performed without the need for many servers. IT resources can be delivered in a matter of minutes, compared to the months it would take to physically install and run the hardware.
Enhanced Data Security
Protecting sensitive data from cyberattacks is a key priority for any business. A hybrid cloud network enables the storage of such sensitive data on company premises through a private cloud. The transfer of data in a hybrid network is conducted through encrypted Application Programming Interfaces (API) across cloud services, securing the data further. This ensures the tracking of data from start to finish focusing on access control and automation.
Economical and Cost-Efficient
Business costs can be optimized by reducing the upfront expenditure associated with acquiring, maintaining, and updating networking software and hardware. It allows organizations to move to DevOps faster while spending allocation is minimized as purchases can be made on a requirement basis as it is subscription based.
Cons of Hybrid Cloud Networking
In spite of its three major advantages, there are three major disadvantages to implementing a hybrid cloud system.
Difficulty in Implementation
Businesses must analyze their current and future business plans before making the jump to hybrid cloud networking. They must partner up with a supplier who can provide public cloud services while they purchase local infrastructure required for cloud operations, such as servers and networks. This is coupled with the technical complexity of maintaining and running an intricate hybrid multi-cloud system compared to a relatively small infrastructure architecture.
Reduced Widescale Visibility
By incorporating a hybrid cloud network, firms can miss out on a comprehensive overview of their operations. This is due to resources being distributed across multiple cloud vendors and on-premises centers. However, this can be overcome through various monitoring tools, but at an additional cost.
Managing Extra Costs
It is more expensive than a public cloud, so the additional security comes at an additional price. Also, to avoid unnecessary expenditure, it must be managed by a team of experts in security, data, and networking.
Conclusion: Deciding If It Is Right for Your Business
Hybrid cloud networking comes with a myriad of advantages that would make the inevitable process of digitalization easier for companies. By simplifying scalability while enhancing security and lowering costs, it is beneficial. However, it comes with extra costs that can introduce more complexity into your business operations. Thus, carefully understanding the pros and cons of it while evaluating your business needs is the way forward.
