It’s been almost three years since Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers remarked that Cloud computing platforms would represent a “security nightmare”.  That was back when the Cloud was a relatively young innovation and the concept wasn’t so widespread. Even then, the technology titan recognized the challenges that could result from the shift to such a network-intensive nebula.

Today, business leaders are flocking to the Cloud even more ambitiously, possibly even too rapidly; yet the security issues are still largely unabated. As Cloud computing gains traction in the corporate realm, the awareness factor for best practices and security becomes crucial. Planning is imperative, not just because of the risks associated with poor security, but because it will undoubtedly heap a whole new set of challenges onto IT departments and CIOs – many of which could already be overextended.

Perhaps the smartest plan for companies in the Cloud, or those preparing for the jump, is to follow a simple set of Best Practices to alleviate the security and logistical stresses. Companies that successfully migrate to a Cloud architecture through the application of Best Practices are also playing a dual role for the entire corporate technology community by blazing a trail and helping to establish standardized methods that work. Furthermore, those that take a little more time in the planning phase could enjoy the luxury of watching others make mistakes, taking notes and thereby avoiding similar pitfalls themselves.

While each firm will differ in terms of strategy during such a mass migration, (although the banking industry has discovered a unique cooperative solution) there are a few good options and best practices that everyone can leverage during the challenging change:

*When shopping for Cloud services, learn all you can about the provider, paying special attention to their guarantees, privacy policies and security protocols

*If possible, choose Cloud providers and SaaS developers that offer technology management and consulting services for added support throughout the migration.

*Find out exactly where your data is being stored. Also check into the data protection laws that govern the location and who has access to the servers.

* If you’re undertaking a large-scale migration, take extra time shopping and comparing providers. Consider seeking an independent security audit of the firm or hiring a Managed IT Consultant.

*Look at the integration factor from every angle, taking extra care to ensure that the Cloud provider can work within the scope of your technology assets and security policies.

*On the internal side, set up robust monitoring systems and security alerts. Educate the staff about the migration and share pertinent details with the appropriate teams.

*During updates, upgrades or any other such change in the system, run security checks, scans on local workstations and make sure that all users and their permissions haven’t changed.

Handling a big technology change is no easy task for any business, which is why many have opted to outsource their IT operations and hire a Managed IT provider. Not only does IT outsourcing shift the tremendous burden away from the company leadership, but it ensures that the migration is handled with the proper planning and under the watchful eye of technology experts. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about how to make the big jump to the Cloud.