What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Having Your Database In The Cloud?

Not so long ago, the drawbacks of storing databases in the cloud were so great that most businesses gave it little thought. Today, the benefits far outweigh the deficiencies, with an incredible array of additional services and solutions now available. There’s no doubt your business can reap impressive benefits from cloud computing. There are still some downsides, though, so take time to understand the advantages and disadvantages so you get the most out of making the switch.

Advantages of Cloud-Hosted Database

Is now the right time for you to move your database to the cloud? Here are a few advantages to consider.

• Scalability: One of the key features of cloud-hosted databases, scalability lets you adjust your operations upwards or downwards as your IT requirements change. Scaling can be done quickly, cheaply, and efficiently, so even small businesses can find value in using the cloud.
• Location Independence: Free yourself of the ball and chain! No physical limitations related to server location and storage means that wherever the end user may be, the database is right there, too. Data storage can now be done in an independent location, allowing easy access to information from every corner of the globe. All that readily available data means simpler than ever collaboration, as users can easily access, view and modify shared files.
• Lighter Administrative Burden: Cloud-hosted databases don't eliminate the role of a database administrator, but it can get rid of many features that typically consume a DBA’s time, allowing them to focus on more important tasks.

Disadvantages of Cloud-Hosted Databases

What are the potential drawbacks of the cloud? Even with all the improvements made in recent years, cloud computing does have some snags to watch out for.

• Data Breaches: It’s every CIO’s worst nightmare — the company’s data falls into the hands of its competitors. Cloud computing has brought with it new paths for putting data at risk, including cyber attacks. There are ways, of course, to prevent data breaches. But while encryption protects your data, you lose the data if you lose the encryption key. The solution is to make multiple data copies, but the more copies that exist, the more the data is exposed to breaches.
• Data Loss: Fear of seeing valuable data disappear into the unknown leaves many people skeptical of cloud services. For them, loss of the encryption key, a malicious hack, or a careless cloud service provider isn’t worth the advantages.
• Inflexibility: Many non-cloud database issues can only be solved with a patch, upgrade, or configuration setting, and the locked-down nature of a cloud database may prevent you from using these solutions.

With the right tools and knowledge, adopting cloud computing for your database can really pay off. And it looks like cloud use will continue to grow: from 2015 to 2016, private cloud adoption increased from 63% to 77%. With the public cloud services market predicted to exceed $244 billion this year, it would seem the advantages are winning the race.