Given the wide range of benefits that cloud-based solutions now offer businesses, it’s no surprise that the majority of companies have made the switch. Recent reports indicate that around 84% of businesses in the UK have adopted at least one service while a further 78% use two or more. With the news that support for Windows Server 2013 will be ending this year, there’s really no better time to make the switch. Here’s what to keep in mind.

Always Use Trusted Sources

There are over 700,000 cloud-based solutions available to you and that number is growing every single day as new applications are being created. More and more options are becoming available to you, the business owner, that it’s now become difficult to discern which option you should give consideration to. While many startups are leading the way in terms of innovation, reliability and long-term support is also a crucial component for any business software. When choosing which companies to work with, make sure that they not only understand the role of the cloud, but that they have a proven track record of supporting their customers both through the initial migration period and beyond.

You should adopt a similar approach for any new hardware you decide to invest in. Pinnacle Data currently stock a range of different servers from established brands like Dell, IBM, HP. Not only are these from some of the most experienced companies in the industry, but the latest generation of ProLiant servers are considered some of the best available. Looking at brands like these will aid in reducing any potential cognitive dissonance within your purchasing decision.

Remember to Test Your Security

Security is one of the most hotly contested topics when it comes to the cloud, yet it often remains one of the least understood. Contrary to popular belief, it is not where your data is stored that is central to your company’s security, but how it is accessed. Once your migration is complete, it’s important that you test your security to gain a better understanding of its potential weaknesses. One of the ways you can do this is to work with a third-party I.T. firm that specialises in penetration testing in order to check the strength of your security.

This will allow a skilled team, specifically trained in exposing the flaws of a security system, to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of your new solution. The advantage of using a third-party rather than an internal group is that the “hackers” will have no prior knowledge of the source code or any other information that could leverage their ability to gain access to your system. This will help to make sure you get the most realistic results and the feedback you receive upon completion can be put to good use.

The day-to-day advantages of the cloud are too large to put off any longer. Whatever hesitations you have can be fixed by ensuring that you work with third-parties have proven track records in their field and you follow up the move with further tests on your new system’s security.