6 Best Practices for Data Management in the Cloud

Cloud Data Management: Information is the life-blood of every organization. It is at the core of every decision-making. However, it is just not enough to own data, companies must analyze it to cull out actionable insights to gain a competitive edge.

With information growing exponentially, businesses are finding it difficult to store and manage their data. Hence, they are rapidly moving their data to the cloud as it is cost-effective, reliable, and secure. According to an IBM survey, 60% of Indian organizations will have all their data on the cloud by 2030. As reliance on the cloud increases, businesses will have to find a way to manage this data efficiently.

Here are Six Best Practices for Effective Data Management in the Cloud

1. Outline a clear strategy:

   The first step is to create a detailed system for your data assets. You should do this before you move to the cloud. This will entail your plan for every data component. Just dumping all your data on the cloud will not work. Your data management strategy should include the approach you want to take. If you wish to go the hybrid cloud architecture way, then define what will migrate to the cloud and what will stay within the premises. Additionally, chalk out who will be given access to which data sets and where business processes will take place.

2. Secure Data at All Times: 

   Your data can be vulnerable to alteration, loss or theft when migrating to the cloud. This is why it needs to be encrypted when in transition. This way, even if it is intercepted, it will not be of any use to cybercriminals. You can use encryption methods like HTTPS and SSL to protect the data before moving it to the cloud.
   You also need to ensure your mission-critical data is safe when at rest, i.e., when it lies unused in the cloud. Cutting-edge solution BluVault protects the privacy and integrity of data traveling between an enterprise and the cloud through robust encryption methods, securing it at all times. 

3. Regular Backup of Data:

   No business can afford their data to be lost, stolen, or hijacked. It is imperative you back up your data in the cloud regularly. Ensure duplicate copies are stored at various locations so that in the event of a disaster or a security incident, the damage to your business is minimized, and you are up and running in no time. Better still, leverage a data management solution that automates your cloud backup.
   You can also automate the data backups so you are able to focus on other critical tasks. An up-to-date data helps in quick and more efficient recovery in case of a crisis.

4. Data Access Control: 

   The biggest security threats are inside your organization. An industry study reveals that 34% of data breaches involve internal personnel. It is hence important to have stringent controls on who accesses what cloud data. Highlight which user gets which access privileges and what actions will deny their access.
   Parablu’s BluKrypt operates on an important principle in encryption called the Segregation of Duties (SoD). This is crucial because it ensures that no two parties can perform the same part of a pre-defined process or function. By dividing responsibilities and limiting access to the information and data on a strictly need-to-know basis, organizations can significantly bring down the risks.

5. Automate Data Management Tasks:

   Several low-level data management tasks can be automated. These include reporting, integration, testing, monitoring, etc. By doing this, you can free up your IT team to focus on more mission-critical tasks and foster innovation. Data management automation tools can take on the heavy lifting, as well as reduce costs and human errors.

6. Integrate AI and ML: 

   Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities can transform your cloud data management by providing intelligent ways to manage your business. They can turn it into learning systems that simplify data management, streamline processes, improve search and discovery, and deliver actionable data to business users. By embracing these disruptive technologies, you can make your business more adaptable to today’s dynamic ecosystem.

You can truly leverage the benefits of the cloud only with effective cloud data management. You need to ensure that the data is secure, up-to-date, and available to the right people when they need it. Effective cloud data management is a more sustainable way of doing things as it also helps in bringing down carbon footprint.

While data management in the cloud is not easy, it gives big rewards. These best practices can not only help you take control of your data but also sift through vast volumes of data to gain insights that can improve efficiencies, boost productivity, build agility, and safeguard your business.