FAQs: Your One-stop Guide to Understanding the Cloud

It’s a well-known fact by now that the cloud is having an impact on the security industry and it is here to stay. Numerous statistics support this fact: In 2018, 77% of enterprises had at least one application or a portion of their enterprise computing infrastructure in the cloud. And the overall market is expected to reach $45.4 billion this year.

With its popularity and use continually increasing, it’s typical for end users to inquire about how exactly this technology works and what it means for their business. We’re answering the most frequently asked questions integrators and manufacturers receive about the cloud so that your organization can be prepared to take full advantage of this innovation.

Within the scope of physical security, the cloud allows organizations to implement a robust security solution without having to invest heavily in IT infrastructure. Instead, the security application is hosted in an off-premise data center, managed by either the integrator, end user or both.

Small- to medium-sized business (SMBs) stand to gain the most from the use of the cloud, as these organizations typically do not possess the resources necessary to house a comprehensive security solution (such as a robust IT department that has the ability to oversee an on-premise solution). 

While we’re seeing the use of the cloud throughout the entire industry, cloud-based access control, video management and intrusion services are on the rise as they offer a significant number of advantages over traditional solutions.

They’re extensive, but a few of the top benefits include cost and time savings, flexibility, remote monitoring, automatic updates and increased situational awareness across a facility (or a number of locations).

The short answer is: Yes. Protection of data, including the use of encryption, can ensure that the data transmission to and from the cloud is safe. Most companies today are hosting their solutions with one of the main cloud service providers, like Amazon or Microsoft, so users also benefit from the added layer of security they use to protect the data they are hosting.

Managed services through the cloud enable SMBs to focus more on optimizing their security and business operations and less on the management and maintenance of data and systems. Access Control as a Service (ACaaS), for example, is usually a service that is billed either monthly or annually. It provides SMBs with many benefits such as added support, less upfront costs for infrastructure and automatic upgrades. Users will always have access to the latest software features and will never have to worry about upgrading software again. ACaaS also provides the installer with a system that is easier and less time consuming to install. 

Vanderbilt’s ACT365 is a cloud-based access control and video management solution. It delivers seamless integration between access control and video and is accessible from anywhere, at any time and on any device. 

As we continue to see the cloud transform the way SMBs operate and ensure the security of their facilities, it’s understandable to have questions about the process — and we hope we’ve been able to answer them for you. Learn more here about how Vanderbilt’s cloud solutions can improve your business.