Disadvantages of cloud computing

The growing importance of cloud technologies in recent years is not news. Countless things are being transferred into cloud environments, including work processes, games and data storage. However, the disadvantages of cloud computing must also be taken into account, as this is a technology that is on the rise but which can also present some problems.

In this article we’re going to go through the main characteristics of this technology and analyze the current disadvantages of cloud computing, a series of problems that professionals work to correct in order to improve cloud applications for our daily lives. 

If you are interested in this, you know, do not miss a single detail of this article. Let’s go!

The main characteristics of Cloud Computing: a technology on the rise

Before we start talking about the main disadvantages of cloud computing, let’s first see what this technology is and what its main characteristics are. While you might have already heard of this subject, you might be able to also discover something new or clarify certain areas around it that you’re not completely sure about. 

It’s simple: the cloud comprises a set of technologies and tools that allow companies and individuals to operate from any location, at any time, simply by using an Internet connection. What do we mean by operating? Well, this includes various tasks, from file storage to remote work using applications installed on other people’s servers or video games that are remotely run.

Cloud computing presents more advantages than disadvantages and, in the long run, offers better results for small companies that are not able to have access to a large IT infrastructure.

Each day, the number of cloud computing applications grows. In fact, this technological field is on the rise and is increasingly demanding the work of more qualified professionals who are able to both program cloud technologies and work in companies that provide cloud services, all across a wide range of job positions.

The main characteristics and some of the applications of this technology include: 

• On-demand services
• Better storage capacity
• Resource pooling
• Scalability
• Elasticity
• Tailored services
• Remote applications
• Cloud operating systems
• Less IT infrastructure required for small businesses
• Cloud gaming

What are the disadvantages of cloud computing?

After this brief overview of the main characteristics and types of cloud computing, we’re now going to go through the disadvantages of cloud computing. Put briefly, we’re going to see the importance of considering issues around security, downtime and the limitations on cloud control.

Even if there is a series of disadvantages of cloud computing, getting training to become a specialist in Cloud Computing represents an excellent choice to improve your resume.

Cloud data security

Many cloud service providers implement satisfactory security standards in order to avoid data leaks or losses.

This implies certified security that ensures the cloud computing environment is as secure as possible. However, it’s impossible to guarantee totally unfailing levels of security, leading to data security being one of the disadvantages of cloud computing.

As such, storing critical company data and files on external servers can entail certain risks:

• Data loss or theft 
• Data leaks
• Theft of account or service
• Unsafe interfaces and APIs
• Denial-of-Service attacks
• Technological vulnerabilities, especially in shared environments

With this in mind, security becomes one of the disadvantages of cloud computing. In addition to this, the achievement and maintenance of security standards by providers may vary.

In this context, it’s important for companies to pick their provider carefully in order to ensure that the chosen company is stable, trustworthy, reputable and offers reasonable terms and conditions of service.

Downtime in cloud computing

Cloud computing is a service that is completely dependent on an internet connection. And internet connections can be interrupted for multiple reasons. Which leads to one of the big disadvantages of cloud computing.

Downtime and technical issues like reboots or network outages can undermine cloud operations and business processes and, as a result, become detrimental for businesses. This represents an additional cost of cloud computing services.

As such, companies should take potential downtime periods into account when hiring cloud services and calculate their impact in order to minimize these incidents’ numbers and effects.

Thus, the highest level of service availability for customers and staff can be guaranteed.

Limited control

Cloud control is exerted by service providers. Companies in this sector are the ones that manage, supervise and own cloud computing infrastructures.

Clients, companies or individuals have limited control over it. A typical scenario involves companies being able to manage applications, data and services that operate from the cloud, but, except for certain very specific cases, clients are not allowed to manage the cloud service as such.

This, in the long term, can become one of the greatest disadvantages of cloud computing. Market volatility, the closure of provider companies, the collapse of infrastructures, etc., are some of the risks associated with not having full control over the cloud services that companies hire.

Would you like to get specific training in Cloud Computing?

Even after considering all disadvantages of cloud computing, this is still a state-of-the-art technology that is here to stay and continue evolving, comprising a series of tools that are changing the way we work and entertain ourselves. Everything is now moving into the cloud and that seems to be the way forward for many companies.

Would you like to become an expert in cloud computing? Now you can do it. Thanks to Tokyo School’s Cloud Computing course, you’ll be able to become a highly-demanded professional within the IT sector.

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