Surviving the Data Challenge in the Hybrid Multi-Cloud System

By following certain business rules, enterprises can manage the growing complexity of data sprawls hybrid multi-cloud initiatives and cloud transformation.

Public cloud services, cloud-based applications with on-premise infrastructure in hybrid multi-cloud environments are being leveraged by organizations worldwide. Experts reckon that cloud on-premises with distributed hybrid cloud environments is important for complete digital transformation. It would allow enterprises to not only reduce costs and increase agility, but help them strengthen their resilience.

According to a Flexera cloud report, 92 percent of organizations have a multi-cloud business strategy. Yet, the C suite faces several complications including data sprawl. With hundreds of SaaS applications, on-premise data centers, IoT devices, and edge locations, data has overflowed, causing the need for higher security measures and data integrity.

Today, using a credit card, employees can build cloud services and SaaS applications. In such cases, it is crucial to secure data and to make sure it complies with all the data governances. Keeping data off the dark web is also a major challenge.

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Unfortunately, business leaders of the hybrid multi-cloud world cannot have full visibility of the data spread. Hence, the best way to keep track of the data spread across applications and networks is to classify and manage the data generated by the company employees. With an intelligent data service technology and process, the C suite can secure a hawk eye over their hybrid multi-cloud environment.

Several companies are under a misconception that if the data is in the cloud or a SaaS application, they are not responsible for its security and protection. The cloud and SaaS providers hold responsibility but only for the infrastructure and its maintenance. While providers offer data protection software and technologies that help prevent cyber-attacks that could disable their infrastructure. As a ransomware attack can lead to data alteration or data loss, it is the responsibility of the B2B customer to ensure that the data is secured, governed, compliant, and backed up.

Some companies believe the easiest way to maintain business integrity is to move all the off-premise data to the cloud or a SaaS application. But it is not likely due to data gravity. When an organization generates data on the premise or at the edge, it might attract other applications and data. For instance, new IoT applications need low latency or fast processing speed and it can only be achieved by on-premise storage.

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Experts strongly recommend business leaders not fight against data gravity but instead account for it. They suggest distributed cloud offerings and SaaS deployment with edge connectors to extend cloud benefits to on-premises. With this strategy, enterprises can become ‘cloud-first’ and also maintain data integrity without a centralized cloud location for their collective data.

With a successful implementation of such business rules, businesses can potentially manage the growing complexity of data sprawls, hybrid multi-cloud initiatives, SaaS environments, and the process of complete cloud transformation. With a peace of mind about data safety and integrity, they can invest their time and resources in leveraging the data for better innovations.