What are the Cons of Cloud Computing?
Most small to medium businesses around the world are already using Software as a Service (SaaS), like Dropbox and Google Apps. Larger enterprises are migrating to cloud-based Platform as a Service (PaaS) systems to increase operational efficiency and delegate networking related hardware and relative resources to third-party cloud service providers. But there are some inherent cons of cloud computing, not of the technology, but to how far and how much this technology can offer to users.
To explain, cloud computing as a service is not more than 20 years old. As such, the prevalent negatives today may not persevere a few years from now. Also, it should be understood that cloud computing services can vary as per quality provided and deliverables maintained.
Cons of Cloud Computing
For any user about to purchase or subscribe to a cloud computing service, here are the most common negatives or cons to be wary of –
1. Security
Cloud computing essentially involves you trusting another party to store your data for starters. One has to trust the service provider who ensures that the servers on which the data is kept are secure and will remain so.
If as a business, you handle sensitive data, a sub-par cloud computing service provider can be a risky prospect. Popular SaaS providers are usually targeted and businesses must choose a reliable and reputed provider.
Some service providers even provide users with inbuilt security measures for on-premise cloud systems to mitigate unwanted third-party access.
2. Lack of Support
Cloud computing services fundamentally integrate web hosting. In the case of PaaS or SaaS grade services, basic deliverables include software and virtual server hosting.
Issues to server-based hosting can cause basic errors such as slow website response, which can be resolved without much hassle. However software-end and server virtualization problems can require professional IT support, worst-case scenario, if the services are delivered on-premise and on a large-scale enterprise-level deployment.
Note that although cloud computing has expanded rapidly over the decade, it is yet to catch up with the technical issues which may crop up while providing the services.
3. Cost
For small scale businesses and short-term projects, the user might find certain cloud services too expensive. While the cloud provides flexibility and lowers hardware costs, current service package may not be feasible for most users.
Much of the high-end pricing is due to the nascent nature of cloud computing services. Also, expensive packages are primarily limited to enterprise-level cloud computing requirements.
Is Cloud Computing Safe?
Security or safety is, without a doubt, the most vital challenge to cloud computing. With the likes of AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud already creating a strong presence in the field, the onus is one them to dissipate any and every security concerns which even the lowest scale user can have against them.
Data is the core of IT and securing data on servers is a deliverable every cloud service provider will have to guarantee.
Cloud computing can arguably be considered as the next frontier – it is among the fastest-growing sectors of IT. With further innovation down the line, this user-centric computing service is expected to overcome its major drawbacks and provide more accessible and feasible IT for all.
