Upgrading to the cloud is the best way to protect your business’s data and improve efficiency. While this transition is often easy, it’s a move you’ll want to plan for. Starting on the right foot with security and organization sets you up for success in the long run. Review this guide to learn about the best practices when using cloud services for business purposes.

Do:

Have a migration plan.

You want all your data to be organized in the cloud, so establish a plan before you migrate. Create folders for relevant content — like financial data, working files, and past projects — so that everything has a home.

Employees can then begin uploading data over the internet to the platform. Doing this makes it much easier to refer back to content as needed.

Carefully review options.

There are four types of cloud service models: public, private, hybrid, and community. Public plans allow on-site organizations to share cloud services with one another, which is especially convenient if you have multiple branches or affiliates in the same building. Private plans are exclusive and are the most common for businesses because they’re secure.

Hybrid plans can protect sensitive data behind encryptions and passwords while still sharing public space. Meanwhile, community clouds are popular in financial and health care workplaces because various partners can access and alter data freely, helping them comply with regulatory requirements.

Don’t:

Risk security breaches. 

Cloud services store a lot of sensitive data, so security is crucial. Look for a service provider with a proven cybersecurity model.

They should use features like encryption and multistep logins to deter unauthorized users. Many will also perform audits to detect weaknesses in cybersecurity defenses and make improvements.

Move all applications to the cloud.

Cloud-based applications make it easy for employees to share software on multiple computers. While this benefit is convenient, don’t migrate all your applications just yet.

Some sophisticated rendering or programming applications require more on-site computing power because of their intense operations. Older software may not have been fully integrated with the cloud yet, which could create performance issues. An IT consultant can advise on which applications to migrate.

If you're ready to upgrade to cloud services, the team at Mojo Tech will help with your transition. Based in Long Island, NY, this women-owned business works with customers across the US, handling SD-WAN, telecom services, and disaster recovery plans. They'll help you migrate to the cloud with minimal disruptions. Learn about their offerings on their website, or call (631) 604-4318 to schedule a consultation.