The Cost and Security Challenges of Cloud-Only Storage
Cloud storage in healthcare has become standard operating procedure, with nearly three-quarters of organizations partnering with multiple public cloud vendors. Data storage systems in the cloud are easily scalable, typically include lower upfront costs compared to on-premises solutions, and increase data usability because information can be accessed from anywhere via an internet connection. Hybrid cloud solutions, which involve leveraging public and private cloud resources, can offer even more agility.
However, a cloud-only storage strategy also carries cybersecurity risks. “A major benefit of on-prem storage is stronger control over the data,” says Andy Stone, CTO – Americas at Pure Storage. “The minute you put your data somewhere else, your level of control diminishes to some extent.”
In terms of cost, think of public cloud storage like renting an apartment. You can expect the landlord to raise prices over time. And while pay-as-you-go pricing models provide flexibility, Tsugranes warns costs can jump exponentially as data volume rises. “I’ve seen cloud costs balloon when organizations weren’t thoughtful about how much they were storing.”
DISCOVER: Hybrid cloud storage improves security, accessibility and cost efficiencies.
Hybrid Cloud Storage Creates a Smarter, More Resilient Infrastructure
On-premises and cloud-based data storage systems both have valuable security benefits. On-premises systems give IT teams total control over how the data is secured and handled. Cloud vendors also utilize security protocols such as encryption and firewalls, and store data backups in case of a server failure. A hybrid of both solutions can help healthcare organizations boost security and improve access to mission-critical data.
“A sweet spot has been to keep operational systems and data on-prem,” says Tsugranes, explaining that this strategy allows organizations to maintain sensitive patient data onsite. “But longer-term data warehousing, data analysis, storage backups and disaster recovery fit extremely well in the cloud.”
A hybrid data storage system adds resiliency in case of unplanned outages — an important consideration because, according to Amazon Web Services, a Ponemon Institute report found that healthcare organizations lose about $7,500 per minute of downtime.
“In an on-prem or colocation facility, if a server goes down, you’re generally disconnected from those records for some time,” Stone says. “But the public cloud usually recovers very quickly because they can switch the data to another region or another part of the cloud.”
On the flip side, on-premises storage solutions allow for offline accessibility. In the case of widespread or prolonged internet failure, medical providers can still access critical patient data and care isn’t disrupted.
