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Cloud Security vs. On-Premise Security

October 11, 2021

Cloud Security vs. On-Premise Security

Cloud infrastructure has emerged as a popular and powerful tool, providing businesses with reliable storage solutions and helping teams collaborate more effortlessly, while at the same time minimizing expenditures. Despite its many benefits, cloud infrastructure has been scrutinized due to security concerns. In this blog post, we compare cloud security to on-premise security and provide factual numbers to help businesses make informed decisions about the kind of infrastructure most suitable for them.

What Is Cloud Infrastructure?

Cloud infrastructure refers to the storage and hosting of applications and data on servers available on the internet. These servers can be located anywhere globally, and access to them is granted through the internet, regardless of their location. Businesses can use cloud infrastructure to store, archive, and backup data, host applications, and manage networks.

What Is On-Premise Infrastructure?

On-premise infrastructure refers to storing data, applications, and networks locally, within a company's physical boundaries. On-premise infrastructure provides businesses with more control over their data, and they can use it to create customized solutions for their unique needs.

Cloud Security vs. On-Premise Security

Security is an essential consideration for businesses when evaluating infrastructure options. There is often a perception that on-premise infrastructure provides better security for businesses, but this is not always the case. Here are some arguments that compare the security of cloud infrastructure versus that of on-premise infrastructure.

Security Threats

Both cloud and on-premise infrastructure are susceptible to attacks by hackers, data breaches, and malicious attacks. On-premise infrastructure is susceptible to physical theft and damage or cyber-attacks, whereas cloud infrastructure's primary challenge is cyber-attacks. Nevertheless, many cloud providers have proactive measures, such as encrypting data and using firewalls, to prevent, detect and limit the damage malicious attacks can cause.

Security Costs

The cost of cybersecurity for on-premise infrastructure can be very high because businesses are responsible for covering all the expenses of hardware, software, and round-the-clock security personnel. In comparison, cloud infrastructure providers offer several security features, including round-the-clock personnel, at a fraction of the cost that on-premise infrastructure would charge.

Service Outages and Recovery Time

Downtime can be fatal for businesses as it results in setbacks and loss of revenue. On-premise infrastructure has a higher likelihood of downtime because access to data and applications is limited to local networking, electrical and hardware issues. Recovery time can be very high, especially where infrastructure and data backups are not a top priority.

In contrast, cloud infrastructure offers redundancy and scalable solutions reducing the likelihood of downtime. In case of service outages, reputable cloud service providers offer disaster recovery sites, which ensure faster recovery and reduce business impact.

Compliance and Regulation

Both cloud and on-premise infrastructure are expected to adhere to rigorous security standards and regulatory requirements. The only difference is that with a cloud infrastructure, businesses can leverage their provider's expertise and resources to effect compliance.

Conclusion

With today's developments in cloud technology, businesses have many options in infrastructure. While on-premise infrastructure can have its advantages, it is becoming less financially viable and secure than cloud infrastructure.

Cloud infrastructure offers businesses reduced security costs, redundancy, scalability, faster disaster recovery, and easier regulatory compliance. It is also notable that a cloud service provider will perform and manage all security tasks and maintain security levels at maximum.

In conclusion, incorporating cloud infrastructure may help reduce security risks for businesses and increase business efficiency, while at the same time minimizing costs.

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