Cloud Repatriation for Email Archives

Initially, businesses migrated to the Cloud to benefit from reduced upfront costs. However, many Cloud providers charge for services such as network bandwidth and data transfer, which can quickly accumulate. Over time, license costs have also risen, and in industries that require indefinite data retention, the cost of additional storage becomes significant. On balance, moving back to on-premises solutions allows companies to save money by managing costs internally, avoiding the constraints of Cloud-based pricing.

Cloud environments are generally considered more secure than on-premises servers. Cloud storage providers, apps and archive platforms invest heavily in security, evolving in line with emerging threats. More and more organisations are moving sensitive data to the Cloud. However, high-profile data breaches in the Cloud have knocked enterprise confidence in security. For compliance-focused sectors where data security is paramount, it’s been an easier decision to bring data and workloads back in-house to mitigate risk. When it comes to data governance, some organisations feel more secure with on-prem, especially with cyber criminals turning their attention to the Cloud.

While the previous points are significant, one of the primary reasons companies move back to on-premises data storage is to regain full control over their data. In Cloud computing, data is entrusted to the provider, which, though rare, can expose email data to potential leaks or breaches. On-premises solutions offer companies greater control over data security, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and safeguarding sensitive information.

The performance of infrastructure is crucial for the seamless operation of any business. On-premises infrastructures enable servers to work seamlessly with other devices, ensuring that data is processed quickly and efficiently to meet business needs. This setup helps companies avoid processing bottlenecks commonly associated with Cloud systems, reduces workloads on individual devices, and, most importantly, minimises downtime.

Any merger and acquisition will require a large scale data migration to consolidate data between the companies. There is often a degree of urgency around the process to keep disruption to a minimum. For these reasons, it can make sense to move some data from the Cloud back to on-premises before migrating to the same Cloud platform.

• Product Training: Conduct comprehensive training sessions for your team on the new on-premises infrastructure. Cover aspects such as accessing data, using applications, and navigating the new environment.
• Technical Support: Provide access to technical support during and after the migration process. Ensure that users have resources available to troubleshoot issues and adapt to the new system effectively.

• Clear Communication: Communicate the reasons behind the Cloud Repatriation migration to all end-users. Highlight potential benefits such as improved data control, enhanced security, or cost savings.
• Process Adjustments: Outline any adjustments or changes in processes that end-users might need to make after the migration. Provide guidance on how to adapt workflows to leverage the new on-premises infrastructure effectively.

• Performance Review: Evaluate the performance of the migration process and identify areas for optimisation. Adjust migration strategies or infrastructure configurations as needed to enhance data throughput and efficiency.
• Scalability Considerations: Plan for future scalability of the on-premises infrastructure. Ensure that the architecture can accommodate future growth and evolving business needs effectively.

• Implementation of Monitoring Tools: Implement robust monitoring tools to track both migration performance metrics and the operational performance of the new on-premises infrastructure.
• Alert Systems: Set up alert systems to promptly notify IT teams of any issues or anomalies during and after the migration. Proactively address potential issues to minimise downtime and ensure continuous operation.

• Regular Security Reviews: Regularly review and update security measures to protect against potential threats to your data and infrastructure.
• Compliance Adherence: Ensure ongoing compliance with industry-specific regulations governing data handling and storage. Conduct audits to validate adherence to security standards and best practices.