According to basic economics, competition generates better pricing and a better overall product. There is one more aspect of cloud computing that is being influenced by the situation of the cloud industry in particular: security.

If there’s one barrier that keeps organizations from using the cloud, it’s the concern that their data won’t be safe on someone else’s servers (which is basically all that a “cloud” is).

These concerns can sometimes be alleviated by a simple fact sheet outlining the provider’s security practices. It may be necessary to take a tour of the provider’s data center and examine the controls in person. In any case, suppliers are increasingly being entrusted with proving how they will protect customer data, and those that fall short… well, they won’t receive the business.

In other words, even if a cloud provider previously did not take security seriously, they must now if they want to remain relevant.

Characteristics of a good cloud hosting provider

When choosing a cloud hosting provider, there are several qualities that you should look for to ensure that you are getting the best service possible. Here are 15 qualities to consider:

1. Reliability

A good cloud hosting provider should have a track record of uptime and reliability. Look for providers that offer guarantees or have demonstrated a high level of uptime in the past.

2. Strong and confident client base. 

Because technology is only as good as the people who create it, you must ensure that the firm behind your cloud is trustworthy. Examine their customer list to ensure that the firm is well-regarded, that they have previously served organizations like yours, that there have been no significant security problems, and that they are usually a trustworthy lot.

3. Robust datacenter

If you rely on your provider’s servers in their data center, you must ensure that the data center has the physical and environmental controls, monitoring and alerting, redundancy, security traps, and staffing to maintain your environment secure and operational. I wouldn’t say a tour is required, but information on the precautions is.

4. Full disaster recovery capabilities

Backups are necessary, yet they are insufficient on their own. In the case of internet, power, or hardware problems, your cloud should have automated failovers, and your data should be live-replicated to a backup site so that your environment is secured even if your original data center is destroyed. Examine the provider’s response to the “what if” question.

5. Scalability

The ability to scale your resources up or down as needed is one of the main benefits of cloud hosting. Look for providers that offer flexible and easy-to-use tools for scaling your resources.

6. Performance

The performance of your site or app is crucial. Look for providers that use fast and efficient servers and have a proven track record of delivering good performance.

7. Security

Security is a top priority when it comes to hosting, and a good cloud hosting provider should have robust security measures in place. Look for providers that offer features such as data encryption and secure data centers.

8. Customer support

When you have a problem with your hosting, you want to be able to get help quickly. Look for providers that offer 24/7 customer support and have a reputation for being responsive and helpful.

9. Data security policies

The provider’s permissions, malware protection, patching policies and processes, incident response policy and reporting, and other security rules should be documented. They should be able to share this information with you as well.

10. Ease of use

Cloud hosting can be complex, so look for providers that offer easy-to-use control panels and tools for managing your hosting.

11. Pricing

Cloud hosting can be more expensive than other types of hosting, but prices can vary widely. Look for providers that offer competitive pricing and transparent pricing models.

12. Flexibility

Look for providers that offer a range of hosting options and allow you to easily switch between them as your needs change.

13. Roadmap For Future Security Initiatives 

When it comes to technology, contentment is a hazardous thing; hackers will never stop improving their tactics, thus your provider must do the same. There must be deliberate forward progress, whether the plan comprises shifting to a better datacenter, deploying data loss prevention (DLP), installing two-factor authentication, or investigating access-based enumeration (ABE). When considering providers, inquire whether they can provide a high-level summary of their plan.

14. Integration

If you are using other cloud services, such as storage or databases, look for providers that offer seamless integration with these services.

15. Reputation

Do some research and read reviews from other users to get a sense of a provider’s reputation in the industry. Look for providers with a good track record and positive reviews from satisfied customers.

Conclusion

These, of course, should be regarded as your minimum criteria when choosing a cloud hosting provider; those that cannot meet them will not meet your demands — and they are unlikely to stay long in any case.

Ask the tough questions, follow your instincts, and then relax in your new cloud home.