Learn how to design and implement a cloud storage system that grows with your business. Find out how to select, optimize, automate, and scale your cloud storage solution.

I fundamentally disagree with the described approach and first step. At least three critical and non-trivial steps must be completed prior to selecting a cloud service provider. First, the business goals that a new storage system should support or enable must be defined and agreed upon by relevant stakeholders (IT, app owners, lines of business, security, etc.). Once business goals are finalized, an analysis of all existing storage should be conducted, describing the existing data, classifications, sources, consumers, platform(s), processes, methodologies, and dependencies, as well as compliance and security requirements. Only after these first two steps are complete can a full business case for a new cloud storage provider be constructed.

How can you create a cloud storage system that grows with your business?

Cloud storage is a convenient and cost-effective way to store and access your data online. But as your business grows, so does your need for more storage space, security, and scalability. How can you create a cloud storage system that grows with your business? Here are some tips to help you design and implement a flexible and reliable cloud storage solution.

1 Choose the right cloud service provider

The first step is to select a cloud service provider that offers the features and benefits that suit your business needs and budget. You should compare different providers based on factors such as pricing, storage capacity, security, availability, performance, support, and compatibility. You should also consider the type of cloud storage model that best fits your use case, such as public, private, or hybrid cloud.

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Dan Griffith

Managing Principal @ Cyberify, LLC | Emerging Technology Cybersecurity Leader
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I fundamentally disagree with the described approach and first step. At least three critical and non-trivial steps must be completed prior to selecting a cloud service provider. First, the business goals that a new storage system should support or enable must be defined and agreed upon by relevant stakeholders (IT, app owners, lines of business, security, etc.). Once business goals are finalized, an analysis of all existing storage should be conducted, describing the existing data, classifications, sources, consumers, platform(s), processes, methodologies, and dependencies, as well as compliance and security requirements. Only after these first two steps are complete can a full business case for a new cloud storage provider be constructed.

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2 Optimize your storage efficiency

The next step is to optimize your storage efficiency by reducing the amount of data you store and the resources you consume. You can do this by applying techniques such as compression, deduplication, encryption, and tiering. Compression reduces the size of your data by removing redundant or unnecessary information. Deduplication eliminates duplicate copies of the same data across your storage system. Encryption protects your data from unauthorized access or tampering. Tiering allocates your data to different storage tiers based on its frequency of use, value, and performance requirements.

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3 Automate your storage management

The third step is to automate your storage management by using tools and services that simplify and streamline your storage operations. You can use tools such as cloud storage APIs, SDKs, and CLI to programmatically interact with your cloud storage system. You can also use services such as cloud storage gateways, backup and recovery, and disaster recovery to enhance your storage functionality and reliability. Cloud storage gateways provide a bridge between your on-premises and cloud storage systems, allowing you to seamlessly transfer and access your data. Backup and recovery services help you protect your data from loss or corruption by creating and restoring copies of your data. Disaster recovery services help you recover your data and resume your operations in case of a major disruption or failure.

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4 Monitor and scale your storage system

The final step is to monitor and scale your storage system by using metrics and methods that help you track and adjust your storage performance and capacity. You can use metrics such as storage utilization, availability, latency, throughput, and error rate to measure how well your storage system is functioning. You can also use methods such as vertical scaling, horizontal scaling, and elastic scaling to increase or decrease your storage resources according to your demand. Vertical scaling involves adding more resources to your existing storage system, such as memory, CPU, or disk space. Horizontal scaling involves adding more storage systems to your existing storage cluster, such as nodes, servers, or devices. Elastic scaling involves automatically adjusting your storage resources based on predefined rules or triggers, such as traffic, load, or time.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you create a cloud storage system that grows with your business?

1

2

3

4

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1 Choose the right cloud service provider

2 Optimize your storage efficiency

3 Automate your storage management

4 Monitor and scale your storage system

5 Here’s what else to consider

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How can you create a cloud storage system that grows with your business?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Choose the right cloud service provider

2 Optimize your storage efficiency

3 Automate your storage management

4 Monitor and scale your storage system

5 Here’s what else to consider

Internet Services

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