In the world of tech, the word “cloud” means something very different from a mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere. 

Cloud is a general term used to describe the delivery method of computing services (computers, servers, data centers) accessible over the internet or a private internal network. You’re able to store and access photos, videos, document and other files from a shared location outside of the data origination point.  

By 2026, Gartner predicts public cloud spending will exceed 45% of all enterprise IT spending.1 With cloud services, sensitive information is much less susceptible to cyberattacks. If there’s an issue at a local site, you can still access your data from another device or location – giving your business great flexibility and control. Cloud storage especially benefits businesses with remote employees who work offsite.

Did you know? Remote workers are ubiquitous today. By 2023, more than 90% of infrastructure and operations organizations will have most of their staff working remotely.2 

Data storage to support remote workers

Cloud service providers across the globe.

There are hundreds of cloud providers out there with services running the gamut of needs for technology. Companies such as Amazon®, Microsoft®, Google® and plenty of others offer cloud services. 

Be deliberate about data decisions.

Let’s say you have AWS as your cloud provider. You want to back up your data to a secure, cloud storage location. If you are a smaller company and don’t plan on backing up large amounts of data, an internet connection to AWS may seem like the ideal method.  

However, one consideration here is that you are sending data (along with everyone else on the internet) to a shared cloud location. There is an increased probability for a hacker to follow your trail and possibly access the data.  

Besides your method of connection to the cloud, bandwidth is another consideration. It varies depending on the usage and the unique needs of your business technology. You can determine bandwidth needs based on factors like the number of users, number of connected devices and overall online activity. It helps to be deliberate about your business data decisions and consider long-term growth.

A hybrid solution for data storage.

So how can your business safeguard against potential cyberattacks when storing files and get the right amount of bandwidth on the cloud? One option is to work with a third-party company to implement a secure connection. That way your business gets a dedicated connection that you don’t share with anyone else. 

A cloud services provider will monitor backups and provide another layer of security against potential losses of data. Going third-party is an easy, scalable solution for securing resources and private information. Besides, outsourcing to another company gives your internal IT team more time to focus on other matters. 

Midco helps businesses with cloud computing services to provide more security to keep data safe. You get set up with a private, dedicated connection and bandwidth – from end to end – to the cloud. And our services support and connect to most major cloud providers (listed above).  

For connecting to cloud providers, Midco already has secure connections in place to Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO and Kansas City, MO. Cloud provider data centers are located across the nation, with a presence throughout the East and the West. Midco’s central facilities provide access to most of these locations, making it easy to cross connect from point to point.

Data centers house your private connection.

Feel even more confident that your data is protected and accessible at a secure, colocation facility. Through a data center, you get services like 24/7 security monitoring, environmental controls to protect server equipment, proactive DDos protection, N+1 power, redundancy and backup generators. Plus, ongoing maintenance costs are covered by most data center providers. 

Midco’s four data centers are located across the region. Connect via Midco's high-speed fiber network or your own existing carrier. No matter what the size or structure of your business is, your data will remain protected and always accessible in one of our facilities. 

Scalability. 24/7 Support. Monitoring. Experience. Midco’s Fargo and Sioux Falls facilities are built to Tier III standards, while our Grand Forks and Yankton sites are built to meet Tier II requirements. These guidelines (outlined by the Uptime Institute) create a secure, high-performing infrastructure – and are recognized around the world. 

Find out more about tier standards