NIST Definition of Cloud Computing
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing as a “model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” Cloud is no longer an outlier but an essential part of business transformation strategies. Still, many organizations struggle to overcome the barriers of cloud computing to fully adopt it into their infrastructure.
Hybrid cloud computing offers a means to tackle these obstacles and create an adaptable, efficient business operation. A deployment model of cloud computing, hybrid cloud combines an on-premises datacenter with a public cloud and allows data and applications to be shared between them. This form of cloud computing relies on adaptability, resilience, and flexibility to meet the needs of an organization and their workloads. With a Modern Operations strategy at its foundation, the disciplines of hybrid cloud can help to mitigate the challenges of cloud computing so that businesses can be future-ready to evolve and thrive in any situation.
Freedom to Move with Consistency
NIST lists portability as one of the most cited challenges to broader adoption of cloud computing. However, this is also one of the key benefits of a hybrid cloud environment, and it is woven into its principles. In defining the hybrid cloud, all environments should:
- Be able to move workloads between environments,
- Incorporate unified management tools,
- Orchestrate process with automation,
- And scale up and down quickly to support demand.
Workload portability is crucial in hybrid cloud environments. Data and other critical information remain accessible, regardless of if it’s on-premise or in the cloud, and can be moved freely across the integrated environments so organizations can quickly pivot and adapt.
Stay Connected Anywhere, Anytime
Interoperability enables components located separately, on-premises, in the public cloud, or elsewhere to function together to achieve an intended outcome. For cloud environments, the concept is important to ensure the proper functionality of services for users and is a massive hurdle for those wanting to incorporate the cloud with their IT infrastructure. An effective hybrid cloud approach seamlessly connects the right people, the right resources, and the right services together. Combined with the ideals of Modern Operations, a unified management of connectivity across providers, locations, and resources also helps to promote interoperability. This ease of use encourages innovation, control, and rapid access to a hybrid cloud environment.
Security That Fits Your Business
Security is foundational to the incorporation of cloud computing to an organization’s infrastructure. Shifting to the cloud can increase risk but it can also can provide flexible and adaptable solutions to help enforce security policies. The security of hybrid cloud also provides options for organizations. For example, for industries with highly sensitive data or regulations like banking or healthcare, hybrid cloud allows certain types of data to be stored on-premises while allowing less sensitive data to be stored on the cloud. If consistently maintained and regularly evaluated to meet the needs of a company, a hybrid cloud security strategy can help a business to go above and beyond in their efficiency and effectiveness.
Cloud is not a place but a set of disciplines
Hybrid Cloud environments enable modern operations and a future-ready business. This cloud computing model provides the ability to scale capacity up or down to handle business demands for the with the security, flexibility, and cost-efficiency businesses require for growth.
Evolving Solutions has a practiced, holistic modern operations approach to help your organization transform. Our team brings deep expertise in IT infrastructure, application development, workload management, security, and more. We can help our organization develop and implement the right hybrid cloud approach for your organization.
