Gartner expects the volume of unstructured data to triple by 2026. The research firm also cautions that traditional on-premises storage is not a viable long-term solution. Organizations cannot continue to expand legacy storage hardware. There will be too much unstructured data scattered across on-premises infrastructure, cloud platforms and the network edge.
The public cloud offers quick relief for storage headaches. Cloud storage is fast and easy to deploy and requires little to no capital investment. It can scale readily to support growing volumes of data.
However, the public cloud isn’t right for all data. As with compute workloads, a hybrid cloud model is typically the best solution, giving organizations of all sizes the optimal mix of agility, scalability and low cost. The key to success is developing sound policies for determining where data should be stored.
The benefits of public cloud storage are well documented and, to some extent, overhyped. While it’s true that cloud storage can be purchased with a credit card, configuration and management require expertise and increase operational overhead. Cloud storage costs can also add up quickly if not carefully managed. Organizations need processes for scaling down capacity and moving data to the right tiers as requirements change.
Performance has long been a tradeoff with cloud storage, although high-speed options are available. On the flip side, locating data close to cloud-based applications can reduce latency.
Onsite storage generally offers better performance and more predictable costs. Once organizations have invested in storage hardware, it makes to maximize the value of those investments. However, it can take months to source, purchase and deploy on-premises hardware, and continually adding hardware can be prohibitively expensive.
Control is another key benefit of onsite storage. Organizations maintain direct control over data, easing concerns over security, privacy, regulatory compliance and data sovereignty.
Hybrid cloud storage enables organizations to manage costs, security and other factors by setting policies for where data is stored. For example, they can design systems and applications to use onsite storage for faster performance while bursting into the cloud when more capacity is needed. They can also choose among various cloud storage platforms depending on cost and performance requirements.
With hybrid cloud storage, organizations can take advantage of enterprise-class backup and disaster recovery features without capital investments. The hybrid cloud also provides a cost-effective platform for long-term data archival.
There are, of course, drawbacks. IT teams are faced with monitoring and managing both on-premises and cloud storage platforms, which may require multiple tools. Given the persistent IT talent shortage, finding the right skillsets can be difficult. Cloud storage may not integrate well with on-premises IT systems, and security and compliance can be heightened concerns where cloud and onsite systems are integrated.
The right strategy can help organizations minimize these drawbacks and maximize the value of hybrid cloud storage. At the most basic level, organizations need to define what hybrid cloud storage means to them. Is it simply a combination of local and infrastructure? Is it multi-cloud? Does it include a private cloud? The answers to the questions will help organizations select the right vendors and solutions.
The most important consideration is where to store what data. There is no one-size-fits-all model. IT teams will need to analyze their unstructured data and consider specific performance, security and compliance requirements. For example, data that supports latency-sensitive applications may need to stay onsite unless the application resides in the cloud. Archived customer records are ideal for “cold” cloud storage tiers, but potential regulatory concerns may come into play.
Gartner predicts that 60 percent of organizations will implement a hybrid storage strategy by 2026, up from just 20 percent in 2023. Those that wait will face a longer, more expensive and more disruptive transition. By planning now, organizations will be better prepared to support growing volumes of unstructured data and harness that data for competitive advantages.