Breaking Bad Buzzwords of the Data Center Industry

Breaking Bad Buzzwords of the Data Center Industry

Simplifying Digital Transformation One Buzzword at a Time

We’ve all heard the phrases digital transformation and disaster recovery, so much so that these terms may have lost meaning over the past few years. But what does it really mean to transform digitally? And what disasters are we recovering from? To wrap up 2021 in a rather fun way – in this blog, we break down overused data center industry buzzwords and uncover the real, scaled-down meaning behind them. 

Digital Transformation: An Explanation

Perhaps the buzziest term in all telecom and tech-related industries is Digital Transformation. But what does it mean? Why does it matter? The truth is that it’s nebulous enough (see Cloud puns) to mold into a definition that fits the users’ agenda or position. So how then does a business ultimately determine whether or not Digital Transformation is relevant to their unique business needs and what the benefits might be? That’s what we’ll unpack below. But for starters, let’s start thinking about Digital Transformation as more of a Digital Acceleration. Because while there are a number of buzzy words and concepts associated with Digital Transformation, at its core, it’s about the acceleration of digital processing, applications and automation. It’s about evaluating your existing tools and processes and optimizing them using the latest “digital” innovation. Now let’s break some other buzzwords often associated with Digital Transfo….errr Acceleration. 

IoT

Also known as – The Internet of Things (IoT). Truthfully, there may not be a more simultaneously vague and all-encompassing acronym in the history of tech and telecom (but it is totally plausible). We need only to see that the word “things” is literally in the name to realize this buzzy term is broken — we’re talking about an infinitely evolving definition. But for our purposes, let’s look at it like this; the “things” we’re talking about here are essentially the applications and processes we mention above. IoT refers to applications or processes that are dependent on accessing the internet to do their jobs. The digitization of these jobs, and thus their dependence on accessing the internet, create process optimization and automation efficiencies never before realized. Think predictive maintenance, remote monitoring and problem resolution, etc. And it’s only getting better.  

OTT

OTT refers to over-the-top. All of our favorite services from Netflix to Spotify ride OTT networks. Without OTT, you would not be able to stream your favorite television show while riding the bus. OTT also makes it possible to watch TV and movies without needing a cable box. So how is OTT delivered? It’s rather simple. Consumers can access OTT services through streaming apps on their smartphones, personal computers, and even smart TVs. And speaking of “over the top,” according to Cisco, online video will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic — 15 times higher than in 2017 — by 2022. Wow.

Disaster Recovery (DR)

Disaster recovery refers to the plans a business puts into place for responding to a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, fire, act of terror or a host of other blood pressure elevating things. A disaster recovery plan puts into motion the response to these such events and remedies any operational disruption, immediately — immediately being the operative word here. This term can understandably be overwhelming to small to medium sized businesses. But don’t frett! As long as your Digital Acceleration partner has a comprehensive DR plan in place, it’s out of sight, out of mind. This allows you to focus on what matters most — running your business. And if you need help with your business continuity, call us! We’re happy to guide you through it.

Cloud

When thinking about the cloud, it’s hard for the idea to not go over our heads. Surprisingly, our data being in the cloud does not mean it’s hanging out on fluffy cumulus pillows. The cloud refers to services that run on the internet — not physically on your computer. The cloud makes it possible to access your data on your mobile phone, tablet or laptop. You don’t have to worry if you forget your laptop at home, you’ll still be able to access your data. Another benefit of the cloud is storage space. Since data is being stored on servers, you don’t have to worry about all of your documents taking up space. The only time the cloud will rain on your parade is when you do not have internet access. Without access to the internet, you will not be able to reach your data, period. 

Now Let’s Take a Step Back to the Basics

What is a data center (or data centre if you’re from Europe)? This can be a building, a devoted space within a building or a campus with multiple buildings that host your company’s servers in a secure warehouse. Basically, its main purpose is to centralize your shared IT operations and equipment for storing, processing and disseminating data and applications. Data centers are vital to the continuity of your daily business operations because they house your most critical and sensitive assets.

What is the difference between colocation and cloud?  The main difference between colocation and the public cloud is the way the data is stored and managed. It is a matter of having physical assets versus virtual ones. Like colocation, cloud-based infrastructure services offer cost savings because of shared facilities. But, that is where their similarities end. In terms of cloud services, the cloud provider manages your servers, storage and network elements. The provider’s staff (not your own) is responsible for setting up these elements, cutting capital expenditure and operating expenditure costs. Colocation requires businesses to set up their own servers, storage and network elements. The downside of this is the additional costs involved in making the move. 

Think of it this way: Cloud is like buying a car whereas colocation is like leasing a car. 

So that’s our cheeky take on demystifying the buzziest terms of the data center industry. Now, as we prepare to turn the page on another ‘unprecedented year’ (bonus buzzword!), our message is simple. Having the right partner to guide you through a secure and modernized digital acceleration plan is critical to resounding success in 2022 and beyond. So get in touch with our team today!

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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Understanding Ransomware Attacks: How Cybercriminals Infiltrate Your Mission-Critical Data?

Understanding Ransomware Attacks: How Cybercriminals Infiltrate Your Mission-Critical Data?

I’m sure we’ve all heard the term ransomware, but what does it mean? Ransomware is  malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data until a sum of money is paid. The effects of these attacks may not only impact your business, but your customers too. For example, the recent Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack took down the entire pipeline with just one hacked password. The attack resulted in a gas shortage across the East Coast. So, who is at risk of these attacks and how can they be prevented?

Who is at risk for ransomware attacks?

From healthcare to finance, all industries have been affected by a ransomware attack. However, while all companies can be the victim of ransomware attacks, some are more susceptible than others. Hackers are looking for valuable data like credit card information, social security numbers and medical information. Even well-protected data is vulnerable to an attack. In 2019, 56% of organizations in multiple industries, including healthcare, finance and education, reported ransomware attacks. There’s no perfect formula for which industry will be attacked. Companies of all sizes have been affected by these cyber attacks. So what could these companies have done to deter the cybercriminals from knocking on their doors?

Preventing Ransomware Attacks:

Now that we understand what causes the attacks, what can we do to prevent them? Here are a few tips:

  • Audit Security Vulnerabilities – Surveying your system for security vulnerabilities is step one to preventing a ransomware attack. Make sure your software is up to date and a proper back-up and recovery plan exists. Not having a plan in place can be detrimental to your business.
  • Educate Your Employees – Employees unaware of the dangers of ransomware may put your company at risk. Make sure your employees know not to click on suspicious links, use an unknown USB stick, open suspicious attachments, or disclose personal information.
  • Use Preventative Ransomware Software – Anti-virus and anti-malware software, along with content filtering/scanners for email and web traffic offer numerous benefits to help prevent exposure to ransomware attacks. By installing anti-ransomware software, you are taking a big step in the right direction to protect your business. 

Let Us Worry About Your Network!

All this information may seem daunting, but 365 Data Centers is here to help and protect your data. With over a decade of experience in the industry and 1,300+ customers, our breadth of experience spans various network and hardware configurations. 365 Data Centers delivers timely technical support to improve the uptime, security and availability of your business’s network infrastructure. Nowadays, we know you’re being asked to do more with less, and 365 Data Centers’ Monitoring Services can help you achieve that goal.

Our Managed Firewall Service provides administration, monitoring and maintenance of firewall infrastructure, freeing you from the burden of upgrades and patch deployment. Our team of skilled security professionals deliver operational protection to your network and infrastructure resources. To help your organization get started with crafting a plan, download our free eBook. To learn more about how 365 Data Centers can help your business, contact us.

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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Keep These 5 Disaster Recovery Factors in Mind This Hurricane Season

Keep These 5 Disaster Recovery Factors in Mind This Hurricane Season

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through the end of November, is well underway, with the season’s peak lasting from mid-August to late October, according to the National Hurricane Center. While all eyes are on the tropics this hurricane season, businesses and network operators in the U.S. are focused on safeguarding critical data to keep business operations up and running in the event of a natural disaster.

If you haven’t secured your business yet with disaster recovery (DR), don’t wait for a dangerous storm to threaten before taking action. Though it becomes top of mind during hurricane season, DR is the insurance policy every business, big or small, needs year-round. Unfortunately, many companies don’t fully realize the importance of comprehensive DR until the day their business depends on it to stay operational. With customers up and down the East Coast, including in South Florida, 365 Data Centers takes DR and business continuity (BC) very seriously – and we want to make sure all businesses are prepared. Keep reading to explore four key components to DR.

Disaster Recovery Time vs. Disaster Recovery Point Objectives:

A DR plan isn’t just backing up data. It’s important to understand the difference between the two, which lies in the time and point objectives for data recovery.

 #1: Disaster Recovery Time Objective (RTO)

Data backup is a long-term type of protection that can take months or years. For example, if you need to recover a file that you lost a few weeks ago and it’s not an urgent situation, data backup will come to the rescue. DR, however, is required when your systems are down and you need to recover your most recent data in a matter of minutes. Both time objectives are very different but equally important to your business.

#2: Disaster Recovery Point Objective (RPO)

The version of the data you access in a DR scenario, known as the disaster recovery point, is just as important as the time spent getting your data back online. With backup, it’s not always necessary to find alternate points of data retrieval, but it is important to utilize this method during a disaster. During a hurricane, businesses can replicate data with multiple copies across many locations to mitigate the risk of data loss. For example, if a hurricane targets South Florida, it’s crucial to have a DR plan with north-south and east-west diversity to protect your assets no matter which way the storm turns. Businesses can also turn to public or private clouds to store information if it’s not feasible to roll out infrastructure to support a DR plan.

#3: The Network Component of Disaster Recovery:

The most overlooked and challenging part of a DR process is the network component. As you replicate your data to alternate sites, you must have the same applications and data running as your home site. It’s not just a transfer of data from point A to point B. It’s critical to have network infrastructure designed to configure and support the function of data transit and transfer. When you failover from one site to the next, it should look seamless. If your site is in Boca Raton and you route it to another location, such as Nashville, Tenn., it must look the same. That can only happen if you’re tapping into networking, data and applications supported by modern, redundant network architecture.

#4: Data Locality:

In addition to making the data transit look seamless, the linchpin in getting operations back online quickly is data locality. If you are just replicating the data, you will need to pull that data down to an alternative site and that will take time, in addition to the time spent turning those services back on quickly. However, if you are close enough to the data to reduce latency, then you can reduce that time needed to restore services. The business impact can be directly related to how fast you can get your business back online during a disaster. Data locality will greatly expedite the process of restoring data quickly. The closer you get to the data, the less downtime your business will have. The 365 Data Centers team has the replication technology needed to save you time and money lost from systems down.

The timeframe to get back online and operational is becoming more narrow and aggressive, and the demands are higher for businesses to be online all the time. For example, downtime in the healthcare industry could put lives at risk and downtime in the financial industry could severely and negatively impact trading firms.

#5 Business Continuity Office Space

Although it’s not likely that your office space would become uninhabitable due to a natural or manmade disaster, it is important to have a safe and secure space to keep business practices going. Do not let power outages, floods, sprinkler malfunctions, or disaster stop your business operations. Business Continuity office space is customizable to fit business needs located in private, secure, temperature-controlled suites, powered by diesel generators and network.

365’s Disaster Recovery Plan

The 365 Data Centers team can help you create a customized disaster recovery plan to protect your company’s critical data. Our onsite staff across our 13 data centers, and especially the teams at our Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa facilities, are highly experienced in DR services and have expertise in DR plans to keep critical data safe and up and running during hurricane season. In addition, 365 has customizable, private, and secure business continuity space in Boca Raton, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Tampa that can be available to your local staff, so they can keep working during a power outage, significant wind damage or flooding.

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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Single-Source Colo, Cloud & Network: Customized, Cost-Effective, Accountable

Single-Source Colo, Cloud & Network: Customized, Cost-Effective, Accountable

WHY A COMPREHENSIVE COLOCATION, CLOUD AND NETWORK STRATEGY (UNDER ONE ROOF) IS THE BEST WAY FOR BUSINESSES TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL AND COST-EFFECTIVE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

In our last blog, we had a look at the many benefits of employing a comprehensive and unified colo, cloud and network strategy. Notably, we looked at how — in combination —  these solutions create an optimal playground for an effective Digital Transformation strategy.

In this blog, we’ll peel back the onion a bit more and look at how a single-source provider of colo, cloud and network solutions can be instrumental in “right-sizing” your services and Digital Transformation journey. Customization, Cost Effectiveness, and importantly, Accountability are all keys to the overall success of the solution.

Remember…

It’s not A solution; it’s YOUR solution

Solution customization is only as good as your partner’s ability to understand your unique needs and to grow as your business grows. This means having the ability to customize a solution that is right for your business, now and in the future. It’s about right-sizing the immediate and long-term needs in real time and in concert with technological enhancements and advances. The amount of lifting involved here can be substantial, particularly if one or more of the pieces being lifted are from separate providers. Meaningful customization, scalability and efficiencies are often lost in this process and can take time (and money) to recoup.

It’s important to choose a partner that can handle the entire evolution of your business’s growth — from a single server to a cloud strategy to dark fiber procurement — and with ample network options in-house. A single-source provider adds depth to the engineering and thought process, benefits that include a more cohesive, integrated, secure and proven solution. In other words, a single source of accountability.

One hand to shake

100% accountable. That’s not something we hear often when it comes to IT services. More often than not, the accountability ball is passed from in-house IT to colo provider to cloud and network operator — and back again. It’s the proverbial service outage hot potato. In the meantime, any SLA protection remains in limbo until fault can be established and timers can be started. At that point, what’s the point?

This is arguably the most aggravating result of having multiple digital transformation or technology partners. This is an aggravation that can easily be mitigated by partnering with a single-source provider of colo, cloud and network — a provider of comprehensive Infrastructure-as-a-Service. The SLA starts counting the moment an issue is detected — no bureaucracy, no client coordination.

Cost Effective: The solution is yours; the infrastructure costs belong to us

Building a car part by part costs more than buying a car that’s already been built. In regards to hardware, the cloud is providing it virtually, there are no write off or sunk costs for the business and no need to reclaim a piece of hardware for the provider. The result? Cost savings and efficiency.

Moreover, there are savings for both the provider and the customer as ALL the costs are controlled by the ONE provider; they operate the facilities and infrastructure and own the equipment. Those controlled costs and savings, across many customers, often mean more timely and thorough hardware, software and equipment upgrades and updates. This means a better total cost of solution for the end user.

Often overlooked, a single-source provider possesses the ability to build and test services across a total solution — colo, cloud and network.

365 Data Centers: One Partner, Multiple Solutions, 100% Accountability 

365 Data Centers is a leading network-centric colocation provider that operates 20 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, including secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, and DRaaS. We are that single-source provider of colo, cloud and network.

365 Data Centers plays a critical role in the Digital Transformation journey:

  • Designed and architected by the same team — no multi-vendors
  • A better quality product
  • Hybrid element to handle the customer’s future growth
  • All packages are tested and we make it work — one company on the hook

We are “Technology, Humanized.”

 

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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Colocation, Cloud & Network: Digital Transformation, Transformed

Colocation, Cloud & Network: Digital Transformation, Transformed

Why a comprehensive colocation, cloud and network strategy, under one roof, is the best way for businesses to achieve meaningful and cost-effective digital transformation

A lot has been made of Digital Transformation as a concept. And it can mean different things to different people and institutions. But the overarching theme is simple: using digital technologies to create new (or enhance existing) business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. Translation: do business, better.

While the theme might be simple, the process is anything but. Generally speaking, there are a few common challenges to overcome, including overall organizational resistance to change, antiquated IT infrastructure and lack of in-house expertise to get the ball rolling. In this blog, we’ll focus primarily on infrastructure and expertise since addressing these challenges first often alleviates some initial organizational indigestion.

And stay tuned for our next blog where we’ll cover each of these services in more detail and examine why a single source for colo, cloud & network is the most customized, cost-effective, and accountable solution for your business’ needs.

Colo, Cloud and Network: Greater than the sum of its parts

The business benefits of partnering with a reputable data center / colo provider are many. First, you get better connectivity and network redundancies to safeguard your mission-critical data and application flow. You get advanced security, including the latest firewalls and virus protection systems that help to prevent nefarious players from gaining access to your data. And you get all of the traditional benefits of space to grow your IT infrastructure and redundant, uninterrupted power. All very important, but alone, just one small piece of the digital transformation puzzle.

The same can be said for cloud strategies, be that full or hybrid. A cloud strategy provides several benefits, not the least of which include increased and scalable capacity, performance and cost-effectiveness. However, without access to a cloud provider, there is no cloud. There is no cloud strategy, and there is little or no room for meaningful growth. Note too that this access happens in the data center. This is an important piece of the puzzle when shopping for the right digital transformation partner. This fact alone should make choosing a partner without cloud access partnerships already in place a deal breaker.

And finally, the one piece that quite literally makes it all work, the network (see what we did there?). Without network connectivity, a data center is just a building, and the cloud is just a box in that building. The network, colocation and cloud are just cars on the ocean. Having access to a network, multiple networks, is essential to accessing your customers and the rest of the world. Network and the various ways of networking, from dark fiber to SD-WAN, is the road to your customers and to your customer’s customers.

While the above captures the importance of each piece-part, how they are integrated, how they are interconnected, and how they are deployed and managed to create a comprehensive solution can vary wildly. This is where next-generation technology economies live and die in the business digital transformation journey. And this is why partnering with a single source for your colocation, cloud and network needs can make the journey that much more efficient and profitable. It’s the sweet spot.

365 Data Centers is a leading network-centric colocation provider that operates 20 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, including secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, and DRaaS. We are that single-source provider of colo, cloud and network. We are “Technology, Humanized.”

In our next blog, we’ll take a deeper dive into the benefits of a single source for colo, cloud and network, including customization, efficiency (and accountability) and everyone’s favorites —  cost savings and ROI. Stay tuned.

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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365 Data Centers Transforms Website

365 Data Centers Transforms Website

NEW LOOK, EXPANDED OFFERINGS, SAME RELIABLE CUSTOMER CARE

In the face of the many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and individuals alike are becoming increasingly aware of how data centers are crucial to daily life, providing connectivity to data and information worldwide. From a simple internet search to streaming a video to storing data for a large enterprise, it’s essential that these facilities operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. In fact, a recent IDC study predicted that the collective sum of the world’s data will grow from 33 zettabytes this year to a 175ZB by 2025, making data centers an even more vital commodity.

365 Data Centers understands the importance of data centers as it is the company’s lifeblood and factor of success. Therefore, this week, 365 has officially unveiled its sleek and bold revamped website. With refined visuals and improved navigation, the website better showcases the company’s comprehensive suite of solutions that support the backbone of its data center operations. These services include secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, and DRaaS. It also highlights 365’s commitment to customer service with a streamlined client portal and robust resource library to address any client challenges and educate them moving forward.

“As the last year has shown us, the need for global data centers to store and transport data and provide network connectivity is ever-growing,” said James Cornman, CTO at 365 Data Centers. “To adapt to today’s digital demands, our team has decided to transform our existing website to align with our broadened portfolio and renewed vision from the latest acquisitions and partnerships. We have now strengthened our position to deliver exceptional customer results for both new and prospective clients.”

Amid 2020’s global uncertainty, 365 was able to embrace its shortcomings, turning unique challenges into prosperous opportunities. The company engaged in a strategic partnership with the international network provider, Crosslake Fibre, and completed two significant acquisitions, supporting its aggressive network-centric colocation strategy. Additionally, Stonecourt Capital acquired a majority stake in 365, further establishing its growth. With the acquisition of Atlantic Metro Communications (AMC), 365 doubled in size and is able to serve customers at 13 redundantly interconnected data centers and five additional partner-operated facilities.

“For 365, these acquisitions expanded our geographic and infrastructure footprint, complemented our IaaS offerings, and significantly increased our customer base, revenue, and cash flow, which are all great benefits to our customers,” said Bob DeSantis, CEO at 365 Data Centers. “This refreshed website with improved functionality demonstrates our current growth and represents our status as the all-in-one colocation, cloud, and network IaaS provider.”

About 365 Data Centers

365 Data Centers is a leading network centric colocation provider operating 13 carrier-neutral data centers located in strategic, primarily edge markets. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes secure and reliable edge colocation, nationwide network connectivity, cloud compute and storage, DRaaS, BaaS, and business continuity services.

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