Cloud computing is growing increasingly common in many businesses nowadays. However, the adoption of cloud computing has not occurred without some growing pains.
While cloud connectivity offers many benefits to users, there are also many challenges that you can encounter while trying to access the cloud. This can make workers feel frustrated, as they want as few obstacles as possible when trying to accomplish their work.
Luckily, there are some ways for organizations to tackle some of these common cloud connectivity challenges.
In this article, we’ll share more information about some of the most common challenges with cloud connectivity. We’ll also share some of our best tips on how to handle these issues with the cloud, so you can get back to working efficiently.
Common Cloud Connectivity Challenges
The cloud has grown quickly in scale and popularity. While this is generally great news, it’s definitely brought some challenges with it. These are three of the most common cloud connectivity challenges your business may face, if you aren’t facing them already.
1. Cloud Misconfigurations
Because the cloud is still relatively new compared to other types of technology, there is a greater margin of error to deal with.
Increasingly complex networks can result in cloud misconfiguration, especially when cloud services are being run by inexperienced users or under outdated security models. Cloud misfigurations are errors in the configuration settings of cloud services, which can increase your risk of data breaches and even result in ineffective control over the system.
Cloud misfigurations can also be caused by lack of unified cloud visibility, as well as rapid rates of change, scope, and scale that networks can’t keep up with. If you can’t log into your cloud properly, or you’re unable to monitor activity within the cloud, you may have a cloud miconfiguration.
2. Vulnerable or Exposed Data
One of the biggest concerns businesses have with cloud computing right now is cybersecurity. Your data is precious, and the last thing you want is a hacker or scammer accessing any sensitive data while you use the cloud.
Unfortunately, not all methods of accessing the cloud are safe for your data. When using routes like the public internet to access the cloud, your data is highly susceptible to cybersecurity risks. Hackers are able to access your data much more easily using the public internet, which has many vulnerable points in it – especially during data transfer.
Businesses using a cloud system are recommended to use a more secure method of accessing the cloud to reduce these risks.
3. Unstable or Slow Network
Finally, one of the biggest issues with the cloud is that it often results in an unstable or slow network.
Because clouds continue to grow larger and more complex each year, many networks currently don’t have the infrastructure to support them. When they try, they may experience a lagging, slow network, which can hinder your ability to work.
This downtime can not only cause commercial losses, but can also damage your reputation if customers are no longer pleased with the speed of the services you’re providing.
Top Cloud Connectivity Solutions
Though these challenges are definitely frustrating at times, cloud providers have started developing feasible solutions to them. Here are two of the most common solutions to cloud connectivity issues in a business.
1. Cloud-Centric Interconnection Strategy
Cloud-centric data centers have a lot of connections happening at one time. Each of your clouds, networks, businesses, data centers, and applications are all connected at once, without any geographic limitations.
This can cause lots of congestion and high latency if you don’t have a high-quality network to work from. Having a cloud-centric interconnection strategy can help with this.
If you plan to have several cloud service providers at once to create a system like this, you should really have a strong cloud-centric interconnection strategy. This means your approach to accessing the clouds involves more direct connections between your network and each cloud provider.
By doing this, you are able to bypass the public internet, which results in smoother performance and stronger security of your data. There are a few different ways businesses can implement a cloud-centric interconnection strategy:
- Virtual private networks (VPNs)
- Direct cloud connections
Both of these options offer better service and protection compared to the public internet. However, a direct cloud connection tends to be the best option for businesses trying to connect to the cloud.
2. Direct Cloud Connection
Ultimately, the best solution for each of these cloud connectivity challenges is a direct cloud connection. This dedicated connection helps you bypass the public internet, also helping you avoid its many vulnerabilities. This can protect your data in the long run, as it won’t be exposed to potential hackers and other cybersecurity issues.
Having a direct connection also makes your network more predictable and stable. This means faster connections without any risk of decreased latency or damaged data from inefficient transfers. With a more reliable network, you don’t have to worry about timed-out connections or downloads that take forever to complete.
Plus, direct connections tend to be cost-effective, as the benefits you receive tend to be well worth the cost for the sake of your business’s efficiency. Your organization will be able to scale its bandwidth requirements as you grow using a direct cloud connection, so your services remain flexible according to your needs and demand.
Your business will ultimately experience enhanced performance with a direct cloud connection that it otherwise wouldn’t have, all easy to track using your cloud connection tools.
Because of all these reasons, direct cloud connection tends to be the best cloud connect option for both single- and multi-cloud solutions.
Conclusion
Cloud connectivity challenges can pose many risks and issues for your business. From hindering productivity to putting sensitive data at risk, having a poor connection can negatively impact your business and workers in a big way.
Whether you’re experiencing cloud misconfigurations, exposed data, or unstable networks, there is a cloud solution to solve it. If you’re unsure which solution to choose, be sure to reach out to your cloud service provider to inquire about your business’s specific needs.
By addressing cloud connectivity challenges effectively, you can optimize your business’s cloud operations and leverage the full potential of cloud computing.
