Is It the Right Time to Move Your Utility CIS to the Cloud?
In Part One of this series, we defined cloud-based CIS and the benefits of cloud-based CIS hosting. In Part Two of this series, we will discuss why you may want to move your utility’s CIS to the cloud.
Many utilities feel that they’re not ready for a cloud utility CIS, but with last year’s 2008 SQL end of life (June 9, 2019) and next year’s 2012 SQL end of life (July 12, 2022) fast approaching, if you’re using these products, it’s time for you to consider it. Microsoft will no longer be supporting these server products, which means they will be vulnerable to cyberattacks and they will become less reliable over time.
Why are 2008 SQL and 2012 Coming to End of Life?
Microsoft makes great products, but as they create new products, they stop supporting old ones. The newer products are more robust and provide a better user experience; so, Microsoft stops using its resources to maintain the newer products.
Microsoft provides product “end of life” dates, which is the point in time they will no longer service the product. When a product reaches its end of support date, Microsoft won’t provide additional patches, security updates, or support from the company. Although your server will continue to run, you are putting your data at risk for bad actors who know how to exploit these aging systems. Over time, as hackers get smarter, the security risk will grow. And, as your server ages, it will be harder to stay in compliance, since security is part of regulatory compliance rules.
Not only that, as your server ages, it will become less reliable costing you and your staff valuable time. Along with the software components, the hardware components will begin to wear. If you wait too long, the server could crash and keep you out of business until it is repaired or replaced. That amount of downtime could cost you more than migrating to a new SQL product.
How Do You Know It’s Time to Move to the Cloud?
Do you have the personnel and infrastructure to maintain your CIS?
If you’re trying to decide to move your utility CIS software to the cloud, then you’ll need to consider a few points. Primarily you should ask yourself if you have the infrastructure and personnel to take care of your server. As noted in Part One of this series, it takes considerable resources to maintain a data center and to employ the support staff to service it. Additionally, if you’re constantly worried about maintaining your data center or if you’re not backing up your data regularly, then the cloud is for you.
Do you want a worry-free, future-proof cloud utility CIS?
Another point to consider is the age of your server and the age of the SQL server product you’re using. With a hosted environment your server will never age, and you won’t have to worry about an SQL end of life. The entire NorthStar Cloud infrastructure is maintained by AWS and will keep you from buying a new data server every five years. Having a worry-free, future-proof data center will save you money and free up your resources for other much-needed projects.
Do you want your utility CIS available all the time?
Still another point to consider is power outages. If you’re not running your server with battery backups, then you won’t be able to access your data if the power goes out. With a cloud utility CIS, you won’t have to scramble when a storm knocks out power to your building. The AWS cloud is built for redundancy, so that if one location fails, another location instantly takes over, keeping downtime to a minimum. In the event you have a power outage in your building, then your team can move to remote locations and perform their vital services for your community.
Finally, if you’re not using a managed detection and recovery service (MDR) to protect your entire network, including the cloud, then you’re at risk for cyberattacks. An MDR is an affordable solution that will protect all endpoints, your network, and your cloud from cyber threats. With your cloud utility CIS and an MDR, you’ll know about potential threats and vulnerabilities before they put your private customer and employee information at risk.
To Move or Not Move to the Cloud — That Is the Question.
If you have an aging data center, and it’s using an outdated SQL product, you may be thinking that you’ll just keep using it for now. But, doing so could cost you more money and could make your system vulnerable to attacks. Ultimately, your options come down to three choices:
Pay for an extended security update: You will receive critical and important security updates, but no new features or customer-requested, non-security updates. This option is temporary and a costly solution long term because you are delaying the inevitable of moving your CIS applications and data to a new server.
Update to a more recent version of the SQL: At this time you may have to overhaul your complete data system, which again could be very costly.
Migrate to the cloud: Migrating to the cloud future-proofs your technology from ever having to worry about replacing the infrastructure associated with your CIS solutions suite. AWS and NorthStar will maintain your cloud, taking this worry off your hands.
Whether you decide to update your system or move to the cloud, it’s best for you not to wait too long. Keeping an old data center running is like keeping an old car running — the longer you have it the more repair bills cost.
Now, you’ve learned that a cloud is a group of servers located off-site where you can house your information and billing solutions. And you’ve learned about your options if your thinking about moving your utility CIS to the cloud.
If you’re ready to move to the cloud, we’d love to hear from you and tell you how NorthStar can help. Because at Northstar, customer experience is the heart of everything we do. Contact us today.