Give this some thought: 89 percent of companies are now using the public cloud. The service is booming, and this growth represents a HUGE opportunity for every partner.
As we mentioned in Part One of this series, though, quite a few myths still surround the public cloud despite its omnipresence. These misunderstandings are deterring some partners and companies from capitalizing on the opportunity at hand.
In Part One, we addressed the myth that public cloud migration is a large, complicated and disruptive ordeal. Here, we turn our attention to the next myth, which is that the public cloud isn’t secure.
Some believe hyperscale public cloud services like Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure are risky to use. This is because they are major targets for cybercrime.
It’s true, hyperscalers are top targets for the same reason that Windows is a bigger target than OS X; the sheer scale of these networks makes them the most lucrative targets. Blackhat actors typically look to infiltrate companies that offer the biggest payoffs.
Companies like Amazon, Google and Microsoft, however, have the cutting edge resources and capital to mitigate those threats. Plus, they are backed by world renowned network engineers and cybersecurity experts. They basically set the standards for security best practices.
It’s also possible to further strengthen a public cloud environment with the help of a managed services provider (MSP) such as Rackspace, Hosting, TierPoint or Datapipe. Such companies can layer additional security measures on top of a public cloud offering.
MSPs can provide your customers with extra intrusion detection, in addition to specific solutions for network, application and endpoint security. For example, MSPs can provide direct access to powerful firewalls and anti-virus software. MSPs often use solutions like Alert Logic (for real-time security insights), and Vormetric (for data encryption). An MSP will also perform ongoing updates and security patches for the client’s public cloud infrastructure.
Perhaps most importantly, MSPs are held accountable by SLA-backed security guarantees. This is something that in-house IT workers do not provide. MSPs work 24/7/365 to ensure that their clients’ public cloud environments remain secure and functional.
For these reasons, some of the largest companies in the world today trust MSPs to manage their public cloud environments. Datapipe, for instance, manages AWS environments for companies like McDonald’s and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Tierpoint provides managed services for Gonzaga University, the University of Washington and Zumiez. HOSTING ensures that through defined process and technology, companies like Compassion International are protected and secure throughout their entire application stack. And Rackspace works with companies such as Six Flags and Under Armour.
Ultimately, the message that you really want to drive home when talking to your customers about public cloud security is this:
Yes, the public cloud is secure. As we mentioned, hyperscale cloud providers take security seriously and have the resources to combat cybercrime. However, it’s unwise to enter nakedly into the public cloud. Go in protected by an MSP, which will offer an extra layer of protection. An MSP can also offer expert advice on which services belong in the public cloud, and which should remain in a private cloud environment.
Make sure to stay tuned for part three of this series, where we will debunk the myth about the impossibility of monetizing public cloud services.
For more on selling public cloud, tune into our BattleBriefing: How to Make Money With Public Cloud on October 13th at 12 PM CDT, broadcast live from our state-of-the-art BattleLab immersion center!