However, with new developments come new challenges.  Some of the biggest challenges that organizations face when utilizing the public cloud are controlling the costs, data privacy and security, protecting cloud resources, governance and compliance, and lack of expertise. Companies that want to get the most from the cloud should aim for public cloud optimization and have a strategy to overcome the challenges it presents.

What is Public Cloud Optimization?

Public cloud optimization refers to the process of selecting and allocating the right resources to get the most out of an application in a cloud platform. The end goal of optimizing for the cloud is to achieve efficiency. Each cloud application has its own needs and requirements that can also change over time.  So, it is important to have a strategy and update it regularly.

Cloud optimization can be used to reduce risks, increase compliance, and right-size the cloud solution. IDG Research has found that over half of those organizations that were surveyed were using more than one public cloud. This increased use of multiple cloud solutions underscores the importance of cloud optimization.

Unfortunately, many organizations struggle to get the most value out of the cloud solutions they buy. One of the most important considerations for enterprises and smaller businesses is the cost of cloud computing. Because the cloud has become such an important part of an organization, many have added new positions that oversee cloud investment such as cloud architects and cloud systems administrators.

Challenge 1 – Controlling Cloud Costs

Controlling cloud costs is a challenge that organizations of all sizes aim to overcome. IDG’s study found that 37 percent of enterprises struggle with the cost of cloud solutions. In addition, 43 percent of small or medium-sized businesses were concerned about controlling the cost of cloud apps. Researchers found that due to the rising costs, many companies have made costs a driving factor in the type of cloud solution they use. This is why organizations looking to cut down on cloud costs will often opt for a multi-cloud solution. This allows them the flexibility of software solutions offered buffet-style.

Challenge 2 – Data Privacy and Security

Data privacy and security challenges were another one of the top concerns organizations share when it comes to cloud computing. IDG found that 42 percent of enterprises struggle with it while 36 percent of small and medium-sized businesses found it a challenge. Keeping company and customer data secure will continue to be a major challenge in the future.

However, cloud providers understand this challenge and the importance of securing their platforms. Moreover, governments are also developing regulations to keep data out of the hands of cybercriminals. Organizations should avail themselves of the security and privacy offered by cloud providers, which should include elements like encryption. In addition, when it comes to public cloud resources, organizations that are most concerned with security are less likely to use multiple public clouds.

Challenge 3 – Protecting Cloud Resources

Protecting cloud resources is a challenge for many small and medium-sized businesses.  Unauthorized access can be prevented with good practices such as using a cloud service that encrypts, understanding user agreements, set up privacy settings, use strong passwords, set up two-factor authentication, and set up firewalls.

Challenge 4 – Governance and Compliance

Larger organizations were more likely to be concerned over governance and compliance when it came to cloud solutions. According to the survey, 39 percent of enterprises struggle with the issue. Many organizations saw multi-cloud management tools as a way to tackle the issue.

Organizations should have clearly defined cloud usage policies for employees. It is also important to limit access to cloud applications. This means that only certain employees will be permitted to use cloud services, based on their position and responsibilities in the company.

Challenge 5 – Lack of Expertise

Small and medium-sized businesses felt the lack of cloud security skills and expertise was a serious challenge. Of those surveyed, 28 percent cite lack of expertise as a challenge to cloud adaptation. Organizations have also relied on cloud management tools to overcome this hurdle. Companies have also started adding new positions to their ranks to oversee their cloud computing investment. IDG reported that 86 percent of enterprises and 53 percent of small or medium-sized businesses were looking at adding cloud architects or cloud system administrators to their companies.

While the cloud presents organizations with a multitude of software solutions that are easily adaptable, flexible, and scalable, there are some challenges that the industry faces. Research has found that many organizations that employ cloud applications are concerned over issues like controlling cloud costs, data privacy and security, protecting resources, compliance, and lack of expertise. This is why it is important for public cloud optimization that companies have a strategy to help them overcome these challenges.