The power of hybrid cloud from
a data analytics perspective
IT Showcase Article
“The real power is in the
intersection and joining of
data. You can store certain
dimensions in the public
cloud, but keep other
dimensions on premises.”
Rajesh Nagpal
Director of Business Operations
and Programs
Microsoft
Published August 2015
How does an organization decide where to put data and how to
use it? What’s the best strategy to balance sharing and mobility
with the need for privacy and security? Data is such a valuable
form of intellectual property that organizations are naturally
concerned about moving it. Microsoft has had success using the
80-20 rule and telemetry data as it evaluates what data moves
to the cloud and what data stays on site.
Deciding what goes in the cloud
For years, the computing and storage power of the cloud was mostly just fodder
for discussion and prognostication. A wonderful idea, but still, ultimately, just an
idea. Today it is an indisputable reality. New businesses are starting directly with
cloud solutions, and more established businesses are deploying hybrid solutions,
with part of their data and assets kept on-premises, and part in the cloud.
In these hybrid environments, organizations must develop a strategy and make
smart decisions about how to sort things out. Rajesh Nagpal, Director of Business
Operations and Programs at Microsoft, has carefully studied and surveyed the
approach that organizations are taking to this question.
“What most enterprises right now are looking at is putting all the stuff that they
want to share on the cloud,” Nagpal explains. “This helps them to collaborate
across geography and across departments.” Cloud solutions have the further
advantage that users don’t have to be connected to the corporate network, or
connect through VPNs or RAS. Needing nothing but an Internet connection and
authentication credentials, mobile and remote workers are able to be more
productive wherever and whenever they are working.
Yet highly sensitive information may still reside in on-site data centers, including
high-value customer data, revenue data, or intellectual property that is considered
“top secret.” The healthcare industry provides an easy illustration of the different
types of data. X-ray images, for example, without any personally identifying
information, could be stored in the cloud. But information about the patient would
be kept on site.
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Unleashing the power of your data in a hybrid cloud environment
The 80-20 rule applied to data storage
While most established companies do have a mix of data, the trend is to move
about 80 percent of it to the cloud, with only 20 percent retained on site. Microsoft
breaks it down as follows:

Data that the organization wants to share publicly.

Data that the organization wants to share across the enterprise.

Highly sensitive data.
The first two categories make up 80 percent of data for most companies. Data in
the second category is protected by authentication restrictions and an
understanding of the privacy settings offered in the cloud platform.
The third category, highly sensitive data, comprises the remaining 20 percent of
data for most companies. Examples include credit card information, social security
numbers, and payroll information.
Microsoft sees the hybrid cloud as an intermediate step toward a more completely
cloud-based data storage solution for companies in the future. Not only are new
security layers being added in Microsoft Azure, but companies are increasingly
designing for security as they become more familiar with cloud platforms. They are
taking a more deliberate approach to distinguishing the sensitivity of data (high,
medium, and low), and implementing appropriate authorization accordingly.
Using telemetry to optimize cloud business intelligence
Much like a utility such as electricity or water service, the cloud is a pay-as-you-go
service. Cloud platforms offer instrumentation data, so organizations can learn who
is using data, who is querying for certain kinds of data, and who is accessing
reports, among other things.
Microsoft recommends using this telemetry to understand what users in an
organization are looking for and what data is useful to them. Instead of reacting to
their requests, organizations can proactively make data available to them in the
form they require. This means that users spend less time gathering and joining data
together, and can focus instead on their core work (for example, marketing, sales,
or finance).
Conclusion
The reality for organizations today is that moving data to the cloud isn’t a question
of “if,” it’s a question of “when.” Data is such a valuable form of intellectual
property that organizations are naturally concerned about moving it. Microsoft has
had success using the 80-20 rule and telemetry as it evaluates the type of data it
moves to the cloud. Over time, Microsoft will continue to move an increasing
percentage of its data to the cloud to facilitate data-driven decisions in the future.
Resources
Video: How to Unleash the Power of your Data in a Hybrid Cloud
https://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/TechNet+Radio/How-to-Unleash-the-Powerof-your-Data-in-a-Hybrid-Cloud
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Unleashing the power of your data in a hybrid cloud environment
For more information
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Centre at (800) 933-4750. Outside the 50 United States and Canada, please contact
your local Microsoft subsidiary. To access information via the web, go to:
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