Downtime is scary for companies, so it makes sense that so many of them have adopted a multicloud strategy to reduce dependence on a single cloud provider. This seems logical at first glance: If one cloud platform experiences an outage, another can keep operations running.
However, while multicloud environments can improve flexibility and reduce vendor lock-in, they do not automatically make your business more resilient. In some cases, a poorly planned multicloud strategy can actually make recovering from a major outage more difficult.
Are multicloud systems more resilient to data loss?
A multicloud strategy involves using services from multiple cloud providers rather than relying on a single platform. For example, your business may host applications with one provider while storing backups or databases with another, so if one goes down the other can compensate, at least in theory.
This method has grown in popularity because organizations want to avoid the risks associated with major cloud outages.
But resilience is not determined by the number of cloud providers you use. It depends on how well your systems, backups, security controls, and disaster recovery processes work in unison. Simply distributing workloads across multiple cloud environments does not guarantee that your data remains protected or that critical applications can recover quickly after an outage.
Many organizations mistakenly assume that cloud providers automatically provide complete redundancy. In reality, without deliberate planning, testing, and proactive management, multicloud setups can be a liability and even undermine your resilience.
Data resiliency challenges in multicloud setups
A multicloud strategy solves some resiliency issues, but it also comes with some of its own that must be addressed if you want a truly resilient infrastructure.
Fragmentation
When data, applications, and backups are spread across multiple platforms, keeping track of these becomes more difficult.
During a major outage, your IT team may struggle to determine where critical data resides and how systems depend on one another to operate properly. Even worse, if you are in the midst of a cyberattack, you may have difficulty isolating or protecting components of your network because of how disparate they are.
Data synchronization
If information is constantly replicated between cloud providers, synchronization delays can occur. During a disruption, you may discover that the backup copy of your data is not as current as expected. Then, when you try to restore your systems, you might find that two cloud platforms are working with different versions of data, adding further problems and delays.
Security management
Each cloud platform must have its own tools, permissions, policies, and configurations. This effectively doubles the work and cybersecurity expertise needed to effectively protect them. This not only increases your day-to-day expenses but also puts you at further risk during a cybersecurity-related outage.
Increased recovery times
Imagine your customer database is hosted with one provider while your business applications run in another environment. When one of these platforms goes down, your restoration operations will require coordinating multiple systems, vendors, and support teams, all while frustrated customers wait for you to get back online.
So instead of simplifying recovery, your multicloud environment can create additional obstacles that delay restoration efforts.
Higher costs
The simplest way that multicloud setups can hamper your resiliency is just by being expensive.
Maintaining redundant systems across multiple clouds often requires additional storage, networking, monitoring, and management resources. Instead of investing heavily into a multicloud setup for resilience benefits that never materialize, those resources could be put towards more reliable solutions such as detailed disaster recovery plans.
How to improve the resiliency of your multicloud strategy
The good news is that multicloud environments can be highly resilient, as it claims to be, but only when designed and implemented correctly.
If your IT team lacks the expertise and resources needed to effectively manage a multicloud environment, partner with a knowledgeable Managed IT Services Provider like XBASE.
We provide a whole host of solutions included in your monthly fee to secure and optimize your multicloud setup, including.
- Creating a unified disaster recovery strategy
- Conducting recovery simulations to identify weaknesses
- Developing and standardizing cloud governance policies tailored to your business
- Implementing centralized monitoring and management tools
- Planning, implementing, and maintaining failover procedures
- Providing hands-on recovery assistance in the wake of an outage
Our cloud experts will ensure your multicloud strategy is supported by strong governance, tested recovery plans, and proactive management so that it delivers both flexibility and resilience without introducing unnecessary risk.
Contact XBASE today to achieve true resilience and protect your business’s future.