A hybrid cloud infrastructure can be an interesting option for complementing existing IT investments or covering specific needs. But as with any project impacting the IS, it's important to take account of your situation and objectives, so that this growth lever doesn't become an obstacle.
Cloud and hybrid computing are the number 1 technology priority (followed by automation and big data analytics) for 51% of North American IT professionals. These are the findings of a survey conducted by SolarWinds, a Texas-based company specializing since 1999 in services that improve enterprise infrastructures.
Although this is a study based on a small, American panel, it does have the merit of confirming a trend. At the same time, the number of hybrid platforms combining on-premises and public cloud infrastructures has multiplied over the past year.
But companies are still too much in a state of wishful thinking. They are looking at the hybrid cloud on an opportunistic basis. They haven't yet developed a real strategy in this area. One of the reasons for this attitude is that many organizations may not have fully grasped the issues surrounding the hybrid cloud.
#1 - Have you defined your cloud migration strategy?
It's not just a question of hybrid cloud. Whatever the migration project, too many companies forget to specify their strategy, certainly because they are not supported by specialized partners in this field.
Building a cloud strategy involves addressing four points:
- Needs: this first step involves assessing opportunities and threats, and prioritizing them;
- Identify services and applications in the cloud: select them to improve your IS;
- Adapting your private infrastructure: hybrid isn't just about connecting to a provider's platform, the private infrastructure needs to run some form of cloud services;
- Set up a backlog to establish a coherent and exhaustive order.
#2 - What are the main benefits of hybrid cloud?
Growing interest in the cloud in general, and hybrid computing in particular, is leading more and more companies to take an interest. But is this option right for your business? What are the real business benefits? With the help of a partner specialized in these issues, companies need to weigh up the pros and cons.
But it's a fact: by mixing independent and distinct elements (private and public clouds), the hybrid cloud offers a number of advantages that are sure to win over some SMEs.
- Firstly, the hybrid cloud delivers more innovative and productive solutions than those deployed locally.
- Secondly, the public cloud is perfectly suited to very strong, but limited-time, scalability (e.g., a seasonal or event-driven peak in activity). The third major advantage of this scalability is that you only pay for this one-off activity (billing by the second is possible).
#3 - Which applications or functions should be migrated to hybrid as a priority?
It's essential to identify the applications that really matter to your business. Different situations may arise, depending on the business:
- Applications handling highly sensitive information should be kept in the private cloud, with appropriate levels of security;
- Specific business applications (or historical layers of the IS): not easily "compatible" with the cloud (outdated software, complicated maintenance, etc.), it makes sense to keep them in your private cloud, or even on-premise.
- Cloud-native software: using a public cloud can be beneficial if you want to benefit from the most innovative versions, for example.
#4 - Can my company control the security of this mixed infrastructure?
Not every company can master the security of a private cloud. And IS connections with a public cloud platform can make managing data flows and users even more tricky.
The confidentiality of sensitive information and the protection of personal data are at stake. Remember that with the RGPD coming into force at the end of May 2018, companies and service providers become co-responsible for the processing of private data. It is therefore essential to precisely establish the obligations of each party in contracts.
Moving to a hybrid model also requires new security tools and practices. Employee awareness of digital hygiene and security audits (of private and public clouds) carried out at least once a year are essential.
#5 - Why take your time?
Move slowly! Learn from your own experience. To avoid unpleasant surprises or a migration that turns into a disaster, it's best to start with one or two applications that are perfectly mastered. And make sure you control all instance acquisition systems to avoid ending up with inactive VMs, which represent a financial cost for the company.
He also recommended relying on the experience of cloud providers, but also specialized partners to guide you through the process.
