Amazon Web Services provides resources for cloud computing that allow companies to dedicate time and effort to their business. More and more organizations are migrating to AWS, yet there are myths about AWS that need to be dispelled.
That's what we set out to do in this article. Read on to see what the most unfounded ideas around AWS are and how they can be debunked!
Myths about AWS:
Myth 1: AWS will cost me a fortune
Have you calculated your on-premises infrastructure installation costs? Don't forget to add losses for not being able to handle high traffic or the costs of maintaining a massive infrastructure when you have little traffic to your site.
By using the cloud, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and only pay for the resources you are actually using. AWS applies a pay-as-you-go model. If your business grows, you'll pay for additional computing resources that are always available. On the other hand, next month, if your business is a little slow and you consume fewer resources, your bill will be lower.
This type of system means you don't have the huge upfront costs and investments you would have when building your own infrastructure. It also means that there are no additional costs beyond the services you actually use.
By comparing these two numbers, you will see that you are really saving money by using AWS and that it doesn't cost you a fortune.
Myth 2: AWS is only for large companies
AWS is a highly scalable cloud platform. It supports large and demanding systems like Amazon.com, Netflix or banking systems, and can also be used for small businesses and startups.
Did you know that AWS has a startup program called AWS Activate? With this program, your small business can take advantage of services whenever they need it, and while you're still small, your costs will be minimal.
Some of the hottest startups in the world have used AWS Activate to grow. Did you know that Slack, Airbnb, and Pinterest all started on AWS?
You can start with AWS too and grow your business from scratch, just like they did.
Myth 3: I have less control over my data on AWS
It is a common belief that cloud servers are in the control of the service provider and that there is not much you can do about it. Its control is reduced to a few basic settings, while “higher power” does everything else.
But really, that's not how things work.
With a cloud setup, you really do have full control over your data in real time. Using simple monitoring mechanisms, you can find out everything you need to know about your instances.
For example, you can see who started the instance, where from, how long it has been running, as well as what applications are running on this particular instance and what data has been used.
Myth 4: Anyone Can Access My Data on AWS
We could rephrase this myth as “who knows who else has access to my data in the cloud?”.
Fear of data hacking and eavesdropping is unavoidable and is one of the biggest obstacles when one is considering using a cloud infrastructure. However, these claims and fears are completely unnecessary.
Do you think Netflix, NASA and Airbnb would be willing to put their entire business at risk if someone could access the data stored on AWS?
When your data is stored in the cloud, you have absolute power to decide who can have access to your configuration. You are the one who determines who will have access, as well as the permission level.
Technicians who work as network administrators for AWS do not have access to your instances, and even when they are troubleshooting, they have very limited access.
Knowing this, you can be sure that you are the sole boss of your cloud universe.
Myth 5: I am not in control of where my data is located
Again, not true. There's only one boss when it comes to your cloud setup, and that's you. It also means you have full control over where your data goes.
AWS has server centers around the world. You can choose the data center you will use when doing the initial setup.
If you decide to use a data center in Ireland, your data will be placed there unless you move it. No one else will be able to do that.
Myth 6: It is very difficult to teach my team to use AWS
Introducing new technology to a team isn't always easy, but it's certainly not impossible. As with anything new, accepting cloud technology may not be immediate. But as with any new technology, there are sure to be some enthusiasts and early adopters on your team who will champion and support the change.
There are many resources available to help your team adopt new technologies. you can use many resources that will help them learn about AWS (and even get some very useful certificates):
- AWS learning materials;
- online educational platforms, which provide training for individuals and entire teams;
- online discussions and best practices;
- assistance from your local AWS partner, etc.
Myth 7: My on-premises setup is more secure than AWS
Are you sure your setup has a higher security level than the cloud? Think again.
Security is a top priority for AWS and other cloud providers who are doing their best to ensure that the data on their servers remains safe and secure from illegal cyber activity.
The IaaS infrastructure is designed to be “bulletproof” and resistant to common web security issues like SQL injections, XSS, CSRF, etc.
An army of engineers is working to improve the security of your data stored in the cloud on a daily basis. All of them are creating a flexible, automated and secure computing environment for you to use.
Now compare an extensive, carefully constructed system, tuned for over 10 years, to your on-premises infrastructure. Even if you have the best and most talented team, it is very likely that they are not up to speed with the latest security updates or are ignoring something that could cause a problem sooner or later.
→ Also read: AWS Benefits!
How about, did you believe any of these myths about AWS? To delve further into this topic, download our eBook Migration to AWS!
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