The growing trend of hybrid storage: why a cloud exit strategy is essential.

Adoption of cloud storage has increased exponentially in recent years, in part because of the promises of cost savings, scalability and improved accessibility. However, we have recently noticed a new trend: the shift to hybrid storage solutions. This blog explores the reasons behind this shift and the critical importance of a well-considered cloud exit strategy.

Why companies are choosing hybrid storage

Despite the many benefits of the cloud, such as operational flexibility and cost variability, there are also significant drawbacks that businesses experience, such as concerns about data security, compliance and the costs associated with long-term data migration. Hybrid storage infrastructures offer a solution that allows organizations to maintain control over their most sensitive data by combining on-premises storage with the flexibility of the cloud. Thus, organizations still enjoy the benefits of cloud but combine them with advantages of on-premise storage systems, such as FAST LTA’s Silent Brick Pro, Silent Bricks and Silent Cubes.

The importance of a cloud exit strategy

A strategic approach to cloud emigration is essential to ensure a smooth and secure transition. A thoughtful cloud exit strategy helps minimize disruptions during the transition, ensures business process continuity and effectively manages the risks associated with moving data. Key areas of focus include:

• Data integrity: Ensuring completeness and countering changes to data during migration.
• Security and privacy: Addressing security issues when moving data between cloud and on-premises systems.
• Downtime minimization: Planning the migration to minimize impact on business operations.
• Avoid vendor lock-in: Be careful of contractual and technical binding factors that make migration from the cloud difficult.
• Unforeseen migration costs: A clear understanding of the costs associated with the transition to avoid financial surprises.

Cloud-exit strategy

While the cloud will be a perennial component of storage strategies, hybrid storage offers a flexible and secure option that is increasingly preferred for managing large volumes of critical data. Carefully planning for a cloud exit is a strategic imperative to ensure technology resilience and operational efficiency. In our next blog, we will delve deeper into the essential components of an effective cloud exit strategy.