In today’s digital landscape, cloud connections have never been more popular. Now more than ever before, businesses like yours are turning to the convenience of the public cloud, keeping your data secure and your work efficient.
You have a few different ways that your business can connect to the public cloud, all of which have varying degrees of long-term success. While using the public internet is easy and quick, it is actually the least secure way to connect to the cloud and leaves your data vulnerable to cybersecurity issues.
Luckily, there are a few other ways that you can connect safely to the public cloud. Below are some of the best and safest ways we’ve tested that you can use to connect to the public cloud, without having to worry about data loss or slow speeds.
Don’t Use Public Internet
As we mentioned before, the simplest way to stay safe when connecting to the cloud is by not using the public internet to do so. The public internet is vulnerable and puts your data at high risk of being stolen by hackers or becoming damaged during transfer or download.
Using the public internet puts you in control of very little in terms of your network connection. You’ll have to rely on the security measures that your internet service provider uses, which usually isn’t designed for large organisations exchanging sensitive data all day.
Plus, the public internet is susceptible to congestion when too many users are on the same network for many different tasks, so you will likely experience slow data transfer speeds and significant latency issues. Whenever possible, avoid using the public internet to connect to your cloud!
Dedicated Connection Solutions
If you don’t have a dedicated cloud connection solution, you may be more susceptible to connecting unsafely to the public cloud. Using connection methods like the public internet can be extremely unsafe, so having a set solution can reduce your risks for data loss and cybersecurity concerns.
Having a cloud service provider (CSP) that you work with regularly to connect to the cloud rather than relying on the public internet offers increased security and stability for your business.
CSPs can also help you determine the best possible solution for your business’s needs, so you can find the right number of clouds you need for your organisation to function properly.
Whether you need to use one cloud or ten, a CSP can set these up and manage them for you to make your life as easy as possible.
Virtual Private Networks
While Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) aren’t the safest solution for connecting to the public cloud, they do offer more safety than the ordinary public internet.
VPNs keep your connection safer by encrypting the data going between your network and the cloud, which gives you and your data an extra layer of security.
VPNs do still rely on the public internet to work, though, so you may still experience some connection issues or have some extra vulnerabilities.
However, using a VPN is still a better option than public internet connections if you can’t afford a direct cloud connection, since there is at least a base level of encryption that the public internet alone does not provide you.
Direct Cloud Connections
Direct cloud connections are by far the safest way to connect to the public cloud. Direct connections give you a way to connect to the cloud through a dedicated and secure network, bypassing the public internet entirely.
This type of connection offers you the best possible performance and security compared to other connection methods, and also offers lower latency rates than other connections. With faster data transfer and download speeds, it’s hard to beat the benefits of a direct cloud connection.
With a direct cloud connection, you can use the cloud without fear of major cybersecurity issues or lagging, so you can work all day long without anything holding you back.
There are two ways for you to use a direct cloud connection in your business.
Cloud On-Ramps
Cloud on-ramps are data connection points that let businesses like yours connect directly to your cloud service providers securely and easily. This bridge between your business and the public cloud is held in your organisation’s data centre and lets you bypass the public internet easily.
Using a cloud on-ramp, your business has a simple direct connection to the cloud so you can transfer data seamlessly with higher speeds and lower latency.
This means you’ll also be able to access all your cloud-based applications and services with the most efficiency possible, so you and your employees have the best network performance to work with.
Network as a Service (NaaS)
Those that don’t have a cloud on-ramp service may be able to access the public cloud through a Network as a Service (NaaS) model. NaaS platforms use a third party to automate the management of your direct cloud connections, to reduce the complexity of your network and infrastructure.
Using a NaaS model means you don’t need an extensive, complicated networking infrastructure, nor any in-house cloud experts to keep your network connected and functioning.
This means your organisation has more flexibility in terms of its cloud connection solutions, so your services become more scalable as your needs change over time.
NaaS is also an easier way to connect to multiple clouds if you have a multi-cloud model. It keeps your connections simplified so you can get back to what matters faster.
Final Thoughts
Connecting safely to the public cloud is essential for your business’s data. Because the public internet lacks security, other methods like VPNs, and most notably, direct cloud connections, must be used.
Whether you have access to cloud on-ramps or prefer a NaaS system, direct cloud connections are typically safer, more secure, and faster, so your employees can transfer and download data as quickly as possible. They also keep your connection simple, so you have less to worry about when it comes to managing your cloud connection.
By choosing a safe way to connect to the public cloud, you can protect your sensitive data and reach your goals as an organisation as efficiently as possible.
