There are many reasons to store your nonprofit’s data and files in the Cloud. The main reason is that it can reduce the burden on the organization’s IT staff and opens up opportunities for people to work remotely.
According to the staff at Idealware, a nonprofit tech organization, if you want to make the leap to the Cloud, but don’t know how to find the right Cloud storage solution, you should follow steps.
- Develop a Project Plan
Start by deciding who, in the organization, will be involved in the IT decision-making processes? Which members of the organization will be involved in the migration of the data to the Cloud? How long will this project take?
Time is a very important factor. Many managers underestimate the time needed for migration. Without proper planning, this project interferes with mission-critical work. Here are some tips on migration to the cloud.
- Evaluate Security Features
There have been some high-profile data breaches in the last few years. This may make Cloud storage appear risky, however, most Cloud storage vendors are serious about security. The data centers have surveillance equipment, fences, and armed guards.
The vendor may also employ data security experts trained in the defense and detection of even the most sophisticated data attacks, as they happen. The server you currently use to store your data is not likely getting that type of attention.
Beyond the large-scale security provided by Cloud storage centers, the software they use has built-in features that can help you take extra precautions when it comes to security. When you consider a Cloud solution, find out if they offer multi-factor authentication or allows you to control access based on the IP address, device or user. It’s best to check beforehand and we’d advise you compare the best services to find one that fits your needs.
- Consider Your Files
What type of files do you need to be stored and what level of management is needed? If you have large files, such as video, graphics or photographs, it may not be convenient or cost effective to store them in the Cloud versus storing them on an external hard drive.
If your files contain highly sensitive information such as financial information and health records, it may not appropriate to store that information in the Cloud. This solution may not comply with data security standards required by the government, such as HIPAA.
- How Do Staff Members Want to Access Files?
For staff members, used to navigating a computer’s local drive, there may be a strong desire to maintain the same user experience and file structure in the Cloud. Most of the hosted Cloud file sharing solutions will give a way for users to access files using the computer’s file explorer. However, this option is not without flaws.
To provide access, you need to sync the copy of your current file structure to your computer. This is not a practical solution for computers that lack available free space. You may also need to map your current file structure to the online Cloud server.
This makes opening and saving files and navigating the file structure, painfully slow. You may also need to move away from the traditional methods you use to interact with files. You may need to adapt to working with the tools, available within the browser.
