Hybrid cloud storage combines public and private cloud infrastructure to give businesses greater flexibility over who has access to their data and how it’s shared. These systems are growing in popularity, and in some sectors, they’re even the dominant form of cloud storage. Here are some reasons why.
Greater security
Most businesses are drawn to hybrid cloud storage for its strong security credentials. By segregating the private and public clouds, business owners have much more control over who has access to data. This means less chance of exposure, and sensitive data can be hidden behind multiple layers of security, placing it well beyond the reach of hackers. Better still, hybrid cloud solutions are centrally controlled, so those security settings can be adjusted at any time.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cloud storage is always cheaper than opting for physical hard drives, but hybrid cloud is easily the most cost-effective form. Businesses don’t need to back up sensitive data in a different place: they can simply store it in the private part of the cloud, switching to public when necessary. This means that you don’t have to rely on physical storage to back up more sensitive data, saving money over a public cloud/private hard drive setup.
Scalable according to demand
The beauty of cloud storage is that it’s near infinitely scalable to suit your needs. Not only can you easily shift files between public/private, but clouds can be expanded to meet sudden spikes in demand. Businesses can simply pay for additional storage as and when required and then scale back at a later date. The flexibility and responsiveness of hybrid cloud systems make them a great choice for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Flexibility is, of course, another reason why these systems are considered so cost-effective.
Better for the remote workforce
Remote work is here to stay. As more staff work from home, the support they need changes – which is where hybrid cloud systems come in. Employees require remote access to data, but large-scale networking can be insecure. Hybrid cloud is the solution. Businesses can make documents and applications available remotely from home while securing other data in the vaults of the cloud. This balance between publicly accessible applications and centrally secured data is perfect for remote work.
Reduced downtime
Hybrid cloud systems reduce potential downtime with their segregated systems and inbuilt backups. Since crucial files can be backed up on the private part of the cloud, any problems occurring with public data don’t have to result in downtime. Similarly, the more secure nature of a hybrid cloud system means that hackers, viruses, and malware are less likely to be an issue than on fully public clouds.
Speed
Public clouds spread their resources thinly, often across a vast network with multiple users online at once. Hybrid clouds can be much more bespoke. They allow businesses to optimize their cloud network, ensuring that users only access the parts of the system that they need to, dramatically reducing latency. Operations can be offloaded to the public cloud (or vice versa), and businesses can configure their network as they see fit.
