Technology Myths
With the fast pace of technological development, it is unsurprising that we have acquired some technology myths along the way. Mac computers can’t get viruses, a battery should be dead before you recharge it, incognito mode hides your activity from your ISP – the list goes on.
Although the history of cloud computing dates back to the 1960s, it is only really over the last two decades that the rate of cloud adoption has snowballed. So, like other new popular technology, at the start of the cloud boom, cloud hosting and adoption developed its own set of myths.
With public cloud spending expected to reach $678.8 billion in 2024, up 20.4% from 2023 (Gartner), it is clear that these misconceptions are not stopping businesses from adopting cloud. Nevertheless, we’re here to set them straight.
‘The cloud runs itself’
While elements of cloud computing can be automated, such as provisioning resources, data backups, or autoscaling, you will still need people with expertise and a sound understanding of your platform to implement and manage the tools involved. For example, engineers will still be needed to manage platform upgrades and perform patch management, among many other essential tasks.
In an un-managed cloud solution, the responsibility for these tasks will fall on your in-house team. With a managed solution, your provider is responsible. Choosing a managed cloud solution with Hyve means you can enjoy the peace of mind that our ultra-responsive, friendly, UK based support team will be available to maintain your cloud platform 24/7/365.
‘The cloud is less secure’
Security risks will always be a part of technology, but with cloud computing, you share the security responsibility with your hosting provider. This is in contrast to a traditional on-premise solution, where the responsibility entirely lies with you.
To ensure the security of your cloud solution, you should research your provider’s compliance and accreditations to confirm their commitment to security and standards. Important accreditations to check for are ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 9001 (international), SOC 1 & 2 (U.S.) and Cyber Essentials (UK).
To protect your cloud solution, there is a wide range of security solutions available. Depending on your requirements, this security stack can include firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, DDoS protection, malware protection, and more.
With data security at the heart of Hyve’s mission, we understand that it is essential for your data and your client’s data to remain safe. Hyve’s strategic data centre partner, Equinix, guarantees all locations are Tier 3 enhanced and are ISO 27001:2013 certified. Our security suite is designed to progressively weaken any potential attacks, with a DDoS Defence System, Firewalls, VPN and SSL certificates.
‘One size fits all’
Every business has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all solution will not work for everyone. Many hyperscalers work on the one-size-fits-all model, with customisation either very expensive, or not possible at all. The trouble with this model is that the platform will not be optimised to you, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs for features or resources you do not need. If you have found cloud solutions have not worked for you in the past, or you are unhappy with your current solution, you may require a bespoke platform. This may be formed with a hybrid combination of private cloud, enterprise cloud, public cloud and dedicated infrastructure. It is important to seek an experienced hosting partner who can assess your business needs and recommend a bespoke solution for you. Often the words ‘bespoke’ or ‘customised’ will lead people to think this means ‘expensive’, due to their experience with one-size-fits-all models, however, a tailored solution will often end up providing genuine cost-savings due to the optimisation it allows.
At Hyve, our technical experts work with you to get to know your business inside out, starting with a needs analysis, followed by a technical discussion, before sending your personalised proposal. This approach is strategic, designing the perfect platform to allow you to run your website or application in the cloud successfully.
‘The cloud is expensive’
Cloud can be a more cost-effective option than on-premise infrastructure, as it removes the capital expenditure (CapEx) of purchasing expensive hardware upfront, and the costs of hardware maintenance, upgrades and replacements. With a cloud model, you effectively lease the equipment from the provider, who will handle all of the maintenance and ensure you are always benefitting from the most up to date hardware. This changes the cost to an operational expense (OpEx), making the cost significantly more manageable. You can find out more in our insight on how to Optimise your CapEx and OpEx.
Cloud also allows for more cost-effective scalability, where additional resources can be added and removed as needed. Rather than in an on-premise solution, where additional resources are costly, and may sit unused if your needs decrease, cloud allows you to be flexible and only pay for the resources you need, when you need them.
The right solution for your business depends on your usage. It is important to look beyond purely the financials – some businesses will require a more bespoke, private solution to meet security and compliance regulations, for example, government or the financial industry. Hyve is proud to offer a range of reliable, cost-effective cloud solutions for your business.
‘Bad weather can affect the cloud’
In the past, a common myth was that cloud computing had a direct correlation with those fluffy things in the sky. This myth was demonstrated in a 2012 survey by Wakefield Research, which found that 51% of people asked thought that stormy weather could affect cloud computing. This appears to stem from people believing data ‘in the cloud’ is either stored in, or transmitted through, the sky itself. In fact, it is hosted in data centres globally.
Whilst this is a very dated myth, there is an element of truth in the potential for environmental factors to impact infrastructure. Extreme weather conditions such as flooding or hurricanes pose a risk to the data centres where the physical hosting infrastructure is hosted. However, reputable providers such as Hyve will have precautions in place to ensure data centres are resilient to harsh weather conditions. All of our data centres are built away from potential areas of environmental risk such as earthquakes and flooding, and utilise measures to defend against any potential damage, giving an extra layer of protection.
Are you looking to move your business to the cloud?
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