Cloud consulting: advantages, security, data protection.

Cloud computing is changing the dynamics of the corporate landscape in Switzerland immensely. The migration of software to the cloud is more than just a technical change. It is a strategic transformation that requires expert support. At soxes, we understand that first-class cloud consulting is at the heart of a smooth transition. We help you take full advantage of the cloud by providing customised solutions and addressing your concerns around security, migration and data protection in the cloud.

Ready for cloud migration with soxes AG? Let’s transform your business landscape together!

Think of the cloud as a huge digital storage space and workspace. A place where files, documents and applications can be securely stored and accessed over the internet. This “digital cloud” enables organisations and people to store, access and use data and applications over the internet without having to physically own servers or hardware. By definition, the cloud works by storing data and applications on servers distributed in data centres around the world. These servers can process huge amounts of data and offer high security standards to protect the data from loss or unauthorised access.

There are different types of cloud services in the cloud:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): this allows companies to rent virtual computers, storage and networks instead of buying physical servers. It’s like renting a virtual room in the cloud warehouse to store your stuff.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): This provides developers with a platform on which they can develop, test and deploy applications without having to worry about the underlying IT infrastructure. Similar to leasing a piece of land on which you can build a house without having to worry about utilities and roads.

Software as a Service (SaaS): These are applications that are provided via the Internet, such as e-mail services, collaboration tools or CRM software. Here you use the services directly via the Internet, similar to renting a flat and using the available amenities.

Step 1: Analysing your requirements

Our process starts with understanding your specific cloud requirements. We conduct in-depth discussions to understand your business objectives, existing IT infrastructure, security concerns, compliance requirements and long-term vision.

Step 2: Assessment of the current IT infrastructure

We thoroughly analyse your existing IT infrastructure, applications and workloads. This assessment helps us understand which parts of your software environment are suitable for migration to the cloud and what customisation may be required for cloud computing.

Step 3: Design a customised cloud architecture

Based on the findings from the previous steps, we design a customised cloud architecture for your company. In doing so, we take into account security aspects, scalability, high availability, performance optimisation and which cloud storage is suitable for you. Our architects work closely with your team to design a solution that meets your specific cloud requirements.

Step 4: Pilot project and testing

Before the full migration begins, we carry out a pilot project to test the functionality and performance of the cloud solution. This allows us to identify potential issues early on and make adjustments to ensure a smooth migration to the cloud.

Step 5: Comprehensive migration and implementation

Once the pilot project has been successfully validated, the actual migration to the cloud takes place. Our developers carry out the migration in carefully planned phases to minimise disruption. We ensure that all files and applications are transferred to the cloud securely and efficiently.

Step 6: Continuous support and optimisation

Our support doesn’t end with the migration. We provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your cloud environment functions optimally. In addition, we work on continuous optimisations to improve performance and integrate new features to help your business move forward with the cloud.

Our approach to cloud consulting is characterised by expertise, diligence and a strong focus on developing customised solutions according to each client’s requirements. We accompany you step by step on your journey to the cloud and stand by your side as a trustworthy partner.

Why soxes AG is your ideal partner for your cloud migration

At soxes AG, we understand that cloud migration is more than just an option today – it’s an essential step into the future. Sooner or later, every organisation will be faced with the choice of moving either their entire software infrastructure or at least parts of it to the cloud. We can help our customers through this constant change because we understand the importance of smooth and secure cloud adoption.

We take the uncertainties and fears regarding cloud technologies, data protection, security aspects etc. seriously and support you with comprehensive knowledge and clear solutions. Our IT developers not only convey a deep understanding of complex technical aspects, but also communicate in a way that even non-IT experts can understand. We strive not only to answer your questions about cloud computing, but also to ask the right questions to develop customised solutions that meet your requirements and concerns.

With our KUBE-X development platform, we can also carry out your migration cost-efficiently and immediately. In just a few steps, we can move your business solution to the cloud with our slice and dice process. Do you need a completely new software solution that runs on a cloud right from the start? No problem – we can develop your customised solution directly within the cloud using our KUBE-X platform. For you, this means shorter development times of up to 60%, greater security, high modularity and reduced hosting costs of up to 70% thanks to standardised technologies. Find out more about the benefits of KUBE-X here.

Flexibility and scalability

Cloud computing offers unrivalled flexibility and scalability. It enables your company to expand or reduce resources quickly and in line with demand. Whether you temporarily need more computing power or need to adapt due to seasonal fluctuations, the cloud offers the flexibility you need without long-term investment in hardware.

Cost optimisation through pay-as-you-go

The cloud is often based on a pay-as-you-go model, where you only pay for the resources you actually use. This means you only pay for what you need, without expensive upfront investments in hardware or servers.

Location-independent access and improved collaboration

Cloud computing enables location-independent access to data and applications. Employees can work from anywhere and collaborate seamlessly. The cloud promotes team flexibility and increases productivity.

Improved security and disaster recovery

Modern cloud platforms offer comprehensive security measures and regular updates to protect your data. The cloud also offers improved disaster recovery and data backup capabilities, further increasing the security of your information.

Innovation and competitive advantage

Cloud computing encourages innovation as it allows companies to implement new technologies quickly. The cloud allows you to develop and launch new applications and services faster, giving you a competitive advantage.

Environmental friendliness

The cloud also helps to reduce the environmental footprint as it enables better resource utilisation. By utilising virtual resources, energy and physical space are saved.

These benefits of the cloud not only offer a more efficient way of working, but also open up new opportunities for growth and innovation. We are here to guide you on this journey and ensure that your organisation can take full advantage of the benefits of cloud computing.

How is my data stored in a cloud?

The transmission, storage and security of your data in the cloud are guaranteed by various measures to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability:

Data transmission

• Encryption: Data is usually transferred between your device and the cloud via encrypted connections, often using SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) to ensure confidentiality during transmission.
• Secure protocols: Secure communication protocols such as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are used to transfer data securely between your browser/device and the cloud.
• Security standards: Cloud providers use various security standards and protocols to ensure data integrity during transmission and prevent unauthorised access.

Data retention and storage

• Redundant storage: Data is stored in multiple copies on different servers and cloud locations to ensure redundancy and resilience.
• Encryption at rest: Stored data is often encrypted to increase its security, even when it is at rest and not being transferred.
• Access controls: Cloud providers implement strict access controls and authentication methods to ensure that only authorised individuals can access the data.

Data security and protective measures

• Physical security of data centres: Data centres where the data is stored are subject to strict security measures such as access controls, monitoring systems and physical security precautions.
• Regular security audits: Cloud providers conduct recurring security audits and reviews to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
• Compliance with standards: Cloud providers adhere to industry standards and regulations such as ISO certifications, SOC (System and Organisation Controls) reports or other security and data protection standards to protect data in accordance with legal requirements.

These security precautions and best practices serve to protect your data during transmission, storage and processing in the cloud. It is important that organisations and users also take their own security measures, such as using strong passwords, updating software and training employees to be data security conscious. We can help you securely migrate your data to the cloud. As cloud computing experts, our goal is to protect our customers’ data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations, in particular in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA) and other relevant regulations.

Compliance with the legal provisions

We strictly adhere to the provisions of the nDSG and other relevant data protection laws. This includes processing personal data in accordance with legal requirements and ensuring that all data processing operations comply with the prescribed standards.

Protection of sensitive data

Sensitive data such as personal information, business-critical data or confidential information is given special protection. We utilise robust security measures to secure the access, storage and transfer of this data. This includes encryption technologies, access controls and regular security checks.

Risk mitigation and controls

Our approach to risk mitigation includes a comprehensive risk assessment and implementation of appropriate controls. We identify potential risks to data security and take proactive measures to minimise them. Regular security audits and updates to our security systems are an integral part of our approach.

Transparent communication and data protection guidelines

We communicate openly and transparently with our customers about our data protection policies and procedures. We disclose how we handle our customers’ data, what security measures we implement and what rights customers have with regard to their data. Our efforts are aimed at meeting the highest standards in terms of data protection and data security in order to earn and maintain the trust of our customers.

The choice between public, private and hybrid cloud depends on the specific requirements, security concerns, compliance regulations and flexibility that a company needs. Companies often use a mixture of different cloud models to achieve the best possible benefits for their specific needs.

Public cloud:

The public cloud is a cloud infrastructure that is managed by a cloud provider and is accessible to the general public. Here, several organisations and users share the same infrastructure, such as servers, storage and applications, which are provided via the internet. The resources in the public cloud are shared by different customers and offer advantages such as scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency, as users only pay for the resources they actually use. A well-known example of public cloud providers are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Important: Public cloud does not mean that your data is publicly visible. It will of course remain private and protected. The “public” in this case refers to the provider, which can be used by any company.

Private cloud:

In contrast, the private cloud is a dedicated cloud infrastructure that is created and used for a single organisation or company. The private cloud can either be hosted in a company’s own data centre or by an external provider that works specifically for a particular organisation. It offers more control, security and customisation options compared to the public cloud. The resources in a private cloud are exclusively for the organisation’s internal use and offer greater data security, especially for companies with strict compliance requirements or sensitive data.

Hybrid cloud:

The hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private clouds and allows organisations to move and use resources and data between the two environments. In the hybrid cloud, companies utilise the benefits and flexibility of the public cloud for non-sensitive or less critical data and applications, while keeping sensitive data or business-critical applications in the private cloud to ensure greater control and security. The hybrid cloud enables companies to respond flexibly to changing requirements and workloads by combining the advantages of both cloud environments.

Conclusion

To summarise, cloud technology represents a revolutionary change in the business world. At soxes AG, we recognise the crucial role of qualified cloud consulting that goes beyond technological change. Our expertise enables us to develop customised solutions and competently address security concerns. Cloud migration is no longer a choice, but an essential step towards the future. With our in-depth expertise and a clear focus on your individual requirements, we are your trusted partner for maximising the benefits of the cloud. Let’s work together to transform your business landscape and fully utilise the flexibility, cost efficiency, improved security and innovation opportunities that cloud computing offers.