Cloud computing has been around since the early 2000s, and it is here to stay. With the ability to outsource processing power to cloud computing providers, it is now easier than ever for businesses to automate tasks and crunch numbers through the internet. Like it or not, cloud computing is here to stay, and the industry is projected to continuously grow as more technological advancements are made.
The benefits of Cloud Computing are a plenty, but despite all of the amazing feats that modern cloud-based services tend to achieve, there are still many drawbacks that prevent businesses from looking to fully transition to a cloud-based workflow. In this article, we will break down the disadvantages of cloud computing and discuss the caveats that come with outsourced processing power.
Don’t get us wrong: we love cloud computing! It has paved the way for great services such as Netflix, Spotify, and even Healthcare.gov. In fact, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been regarded as the “most important piece of technology of this generation” by various news sources. Keep in mind when reading this article that we fully support cloud computing. We just want to make known the various problems that can stem from lack of proper execution.
THE DISADVANTAGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING
#1: The Cost
#2: Technical Issues
On the internet, anything can go wrong. This is also true for cloud computing. Since rented servers are in a remote location and are often locked down to the point where troubleshooting becomes a real chore, dealing with technical issues in the cloud is extremely tough; especially for lower-cost servers.
Let’s say, for instance, that external computers are having a hard time connecting to a cloud-based server because of improper configuration. Sometimes, a problem like this will require support from the service provider themselves, resulting in lost revenue and time wasted in a tech support queue.
Local computing, even if server based, results in much less of a hassle when regarding technical issues. Hardware malfunctions can be fixed on the spot, technicians have full access to every tweak-able parameter in the system, and businesses can choose any route they like to resolve any issues that may arise.
#3: Security Issues
When dealing with sensitive data, it is imperative that encryption and security protocols be closely observed. However, when dealing with the cloud, which is accessible by any computer at any time, security can become an issue.
Suppose a health clinic is using cloud computing to store and access medical records on a remote server. If a hacker were to find a loophole in the system and gain access to these sensitive medical documents, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) would be deployed in a series of severe lawsuits which could single-handedly shut down an entire company.
Using high-level encryption can certainly thwart most hacking attempts, but as hackers begin to discover and deploy more and more complex methods of data interception, a single mishap can cost a company everything.
#4: Prone to downtime
As is the problem with any internet service, one of the biggest disadvantages of cloud computingis downtime. When running a business that requires crunching large numbers in a timely manner, downtime is unacceptable. For each second a server is down, a business could potentially lose thousands of dollars in potential revenue.
Cloud computing has improved over the years, and many services offer a 99.9% server uptime guarantee. However, in the rare instance of server downtime, productivity can come to a screeching halt, and potential revenue starts to disappear.