CDW Solutions / Hybrid Cloud Solutions
Hybrid Cloud Solutions
As IT infrastructure evolves, CDW Canada has the hybrid cloud experience, expertise and objectivity to help organizations build IT environments that are agile, manageable and future-focused while keeping operations running smoothly and costs down. We can help you transition to the hybrid cloud by assessing, architecting, implementing and managing the processes and technologies required to deliver success.
Data Management Solutions
Manage, store and protect your data efficiently with our comprehensive data management solutions.
Learn More →Enterprise Networking
Streamline your network infrastructure for agility and security across cloud and on-prem environments.
Learn More →Modern Data Centre
Optimize your data centre with modern solutions designed for scalability and performance.
Learn More →Hybrid Cloud Integration
Integrate edge, data centre and public cloud for scalable, secure and efficient hybrid solutions.
Learn More →High-Performance Computing
Optimize your computing power with scalable, innovative high-performance computing platforms.
Learn More →Why CDW Canada for Hybrid Cloud Solutions?
Proven expertise for
over 20 years in Canada
CDW has been operating in Canada for over 20 years, with an expert team of Canada-based consultants.
Comprehensive IT
services for every stage
Full spectrum of IT services, ensuring seamless integration with your entire technology stack.
Trusted partnerships with
leading technology partners
An unmatched network of award-winning partnerships with the most important technology vendors in Canada.
What Is a Hybrid Cloud?
The hybrid cloud combines private and public cloud resources within a single IT architecture. This blend facilitates data and application sharing, giving businesses greater flexibility and more deployment choices. While pure private and public cloud solutions each have their pros, a hybrid cloud allows you to make the best use of resources, whether they are on-premises or in the public cloud.
Private Cloud
A dedicated cloud infrastructure operated solely for one organization. It's managed internally, by a third party, on-premises or in a data centre.
Public Cloud
This operates on the cloud provider's premises and uses a shared infrastructure, offering services over the internet on a pay-per-use basis.
Hybrid Cloud
Based on business needs, the cloud allocates resources to optimize efficiency, cost and security. The architecture supports enterprises with varying workloads, high availability, disaster recovery and controlled access to data and applications.
Benefits of Hybrid Cloud for Enterprises
Hybrid cloud environments offer several benefits and abilities to businesses. These include manageability (controlling cloud services and costs), portability (making data work across multiple environments), resiliency (consistent performance across multiple clouds), security (such as a zero-trust approach) and observability (visibility across clouds to identify performance issues).
Cost Efficiency
One of the primary benefits of a hybrid cloud is its cost-saving potential. Enterprises can keep sensitive data on private servers while leveraging the scalable computing power of the public cloud for less-critical applications. This balance helps in reducing capital expenditure and operational costs.
Business Continuity and
Disaster Recovery
A hybrid cloud architecture enhances business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities. By replicating critical data and applications across both private and public clouds, enterprises ensure high availability and quick recovery in case of disruptions.
Flexibility and Scalability
Hybrid cloud computing offers unparalleled flexibility. Businesses can scale their operations dynamically by expanding workloads to the public cloud when demand spikes and reverting to private infrastructure during normal operations. This adaptability ensures that enterprises do not over-provision infrastructure.
Improved Performance
Enterprises can optimize their hybrid cloud environments by running workloads in the most suitable locations. Companies can host applications requiring low latency on-premises, while data-intensive operations can use the public cloud. This balance improves overall performance and user experience.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
Hybrid cloud solutions enable enterprises to maintain stringent security and compliance requirements. By storing sensitive data in the private cloud, enterprises maintain strict control, while the public cloud handles less sensitive operations. This segregation is beneficial for industries with regulatory mandates.
Hybrid Cloud vs Multicloud
While both hybrid cloud and multicloud involve multiple cloud environments, they are distinct in their architecture and use cases.
Which Cloud Is Better for Your Enterprise?
Many organizations have adopted a hybrid multicloud state, leveraging public and private cloud options. It is often not simply a choice between one or the other. If your organization prioritizes seamless integration and data control, hybrid cloud computing could be the way forward. However, multicloud may be the better choice if leveraging best-of-breed services from various cloud providers is crucial. CDW can help you optimize your IT infrastructure to meet your business needs.
Hybrid Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
- Multicloud
Hybrid Cloud
Integration:
Seamless integration between private and public clouds.
Design:
Unified infrastructure with a mix of on-premises, private and public clouds.
Management:
Centralized management for all resources.
Usage:
Ideal for businesses seeking flexibility and strict control over sensitive data.
Multicloud
Integration:
Utilizes services from multiple public cloud providers.
Design:
Disparate cloud environments without integration.
Management:
Separate management for each service, often requiring sophisticated management tools.
Usage:
Suitable for enterprises needing diverse services, high availability and redundancy.
1
STEP ONE
Assess Business Needs
Begin by evaluating your business requirements. Assess workloads, data sensitivity, compliance needs and budget constraints. Determine which applications would benefit from public cloud scalability and which require secure private hosting.
2
STEP TWO
Select Cloud Providers
Choose suitable public and private cloud providers. Evaluate service offerings, reliability, compliance, security and cost factors. CDW offers a range of hybrid cloud solutions tailored to diverse enterprise needs.
3
STEP THREE
Design Hybrid Cloud Architecture
Architect a solution that integrates public and private cloud environments smoothly and continuously. Develop a strategy for data migration, workload balancing and resource allocation. Consider using hybrid cloud management tools to streamline operations and monitoring.
4
STEP FOUR
Implement Multicloud Networking Solutions
Ensure secure and efficient connectivity between your private infrastructure and the public cloud. Options include VPNs, dedicated connectivity like AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute, and hybrid cloud gateways.
5
STEP FIVE
Deploy and Migrate Workloads
Begin deploying applications and migrating data. To identify and resolve issues, prioritize migrating less-critical workloads first. Implement disaster recovery plans and conduct rigorous testing to ensure operational readiness.
6
STEP SIX
Monitor and Optimize
Continuously monitor performance, usage and costs. Use hybrid cloud management tools to optimize resource utilization and ensure seamless operation. Review and update your hybrid cloud strategy regularly to meet evolving business needs.
6-Step Approach to Hybrid Cloud Security
Security is paramount in any cloud strategy. Hybrid cloud environments present unique challenges and opportunities for safeguarding data and applications. Organizations should employ a zero-trust methodology, which states to “never trust, always verify” and takes measures to secure data based on the assumption that every access request could be malicious. Here are six steps to help secure your hybrid cloud.
1
Establish Digital Sovereignty and Protect Your Data
Establishing digital sovereignty ensures your data is secure and compliant. Implement robust data encryption, both at rest and in transit. Use end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive information across the hybrid cloud architecture. Securely manage encryption keys to prevent unauthorized access.
2
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Employ comprehensive IAM solutions to control access to your hybrid cloud environment. Implement multifactor authentication, role-based access controls and regular audits to monitor user activities and detect suspicious behaviour.
3
Network Security
Secure the network infrastructure using firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems and secure connectivity solutions like VPNs and private links. Segment the network to isolate critical resources and minimize potential attack surfaces.
4
Compliance and Governance
Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards. Implement governance frameworks that define the rules for handling, storing and accessing data. Regularly audit your hybrid cloud environment for compliance and address any gaps promptly.
5
Security Monitoring and Incident Response
Deploy continuous security monitoring tools to detect and respond to threats in real time. Develop an incident response plan tailored to hybrid cloud scenarios, ensuring swift action to mitigate potential damage.
6
Vendor Security Practices
Scrutinize the security practices of your cloud providers. Ensure they implement robust security measures, conduct regular audits and have transparent reporting mechanisms for vulnerabilities and breaches.
Hybrid Cloud Architecture
A hybrid cloud solution can provide enterprises with unparalleled flexibility, cost-efficiency, security and business continuity. Assessing business needs and prioritizing security, IT experts can successfully design and manage a hybrid cloud environment by understanding the difference between hybrid and multicloud architectures.
As you navigate this journey, leverage the expertise and solutions offered by CDW Canada to tailor a hybrid cloud strategy that aligns with your business objectives. Explore the possibilities of hybrid cloud computing and transform your enterprise infrastructure for future growth and agility.
By thoroughly exploring these key areas, IT experts can better assess whether hybrid cloud technology fits their organizations. From cost savings to enhanced security, the advantages of hybrid cloud services make it a compelling choice. With proper planning and implementation, a hybrid cloud can pave the way for a resilient, scalable and efficient IT environment.
Hybrid Cloud Trends from Our Partners
How CDW Canada Can Help
CDW Canada offers comprehensive support and expertise to help your enterprise transition to and manage a hybrid cloud environment. Here's how CDW can assist:
Consultation and Assessment
CDW's team of experts will evaluate your current IT infrastructure, business requirements and goals to craft a tailored hybrid cloud strategy.
Cloud Provider Selection
Leverage CDW's partnerships with leading cloud providers to select the best combination of public and private cloud services that meet your specific needs.
Architecture Design
CDW provides end-to-end architecture design services, ensuring seamless integration between your private infrastructure and public cloud services.
Implementation Services
CDW assists with the setup and deployment of your hybrid cloud solution, including connectivity solutions and workload migration support.
Security and Compliance
CDW helps implement robust security measures and ensures that your hybrid cloud environment meets industry regulations and standards.
Managed Services
Opt for CDW's managed services for ongoing monitoring, management and optimization of your hybrid cloud environment, allowing your internal IT team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Training and Support
CDW offers training programs to help your team understand and manage the hybrid cloud environment effectively, along with 24/7 support for any issues that arise.
By partnering with CDW Canada, your enterprise can experience a smooth transition to a hybrid cloud environment, ensuring efficiency, security and scalability tailored to your unique business needs. Explore the possibilities of hybrid cloud computing with CDW Canada and transform your enterprise infrastructure for future growth and agility.
FAQs
Hybrid cloud combines the best features of both public and private cloud environments. While public clouds offer scalability and cost-efficiency, private clouds provide enhanced security and control. A hybrid cloud allows organizations to leverage the scalability of public clouds for non-sensitive operations while retaining crucial data in a secure private cloud environment, achieving optimal flexibility and efficiency.
Ensuring security in a hybrid cloud environment involves a multifaceted approach:
- Data Encryption: Encrypt data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access
- Access Control: Implement strict access controls and identity management to ensure only authorized users can access sensitive data
- Network Security: Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS) and secure VPNs to protect the network
- Regular Audits and Compliance: Conduct regular security audits and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards to maintain a robust security posture
The benefits of a hybrid cloud approach include:
- Enhanced Flexibility: Allows organizations to choose the optimal cloud environment for each workload
- Cost Efficiency: Organizations can optimize costs by using public clouds for less sensitive, high-volume operations and private clouds for critical workloads
- Scalability: Provides the ability to scale resources dynamically based on demand without over-investing in on-premises infrastructure
- Improved Disaster Recovery: Facilitates better disaster recovery planning with geographically diverse data replication and backup options
Determining the right balance involves:
- Evaluating Workload Requirements: Assess the performance, compliance and security needs of each workload
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Analyze the cost implications of using public vs. private cloud solutions for different operations
- Strategic Planning: Develop a clear strategy that aligns with the business objectives and IT capabilities
- Pilot Programs: Conduct pilot programs to test and refine the hybrid cloud setup before full-scale implementation
Common challenges include:
- Integration Complexity: Integrating different cloud environments can be complex and require specialized skills
- Data Governance: Ensuring consistent data policies and compliance across multiple environments
- Cost Management: Monitoring and managing costs effectively to avoid overspending
- Security Risks: Maintaining a unified security posture across public and private clouds to mitigate risks
Contact Us
Optimize Your Business with Our Hybrid Cloud Expertise
Our hybrid cloud experts are here to help you assess, architect, implement and operate a solution tailored to your business needs. Connect with us today to unlock the full potential of your IT infrastructure.
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