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Cloud repatriation: What it means for the future of on-premises technology

January 28, 2025Victoria Savage

cloud repatriation and on premises mfa

Cloud repatriation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a survival strategy for modern businesses. Companies like Dropbox, Adobe, and GEICO have in recent years migrated their data off the cloud and back into in-house data servers run on their premises.

From lower costs, to more control, to better security, there are many reasons why organizations are choosing to take their data out of the cloud.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what cloud repatriation is, what’s driving this trend, and why on-premises MFA is a key part of taking control of your data. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

  1. What is cloud repatriation?
  2. What is driving cloud repatriation?
  3. The role of MFA in cloud repatriation
  4. How LoginTC Managed can help
  5. How to incorporate MFA into cloud repatriation plans

What is cloud repatriation?

Cloud repatriation is the process of moving workloads, applications, or data from the cloud back to on-premises infrastructure. This can take the form of anything from pure on-prem environments, to private clouds, to hybrid setups.

what is cloud repatriation

Some companies choose to move all of their operations out of the cloud, while others decide to repatriate only a portion.

What is driving cloud repatriation?

With all the benefits that the cloud offers for easy access to vast amounts of data storage and management, why are some companies choosing to turn away from it? There are several reasons companies have stated for choosing to repatriate their data from the cloud.

why do cloud repatriation

Cost Optimization

Cost is a major factor for companies considering the switch from pure cloud-based computing and storage. According to an IDC report, in 2023 almost half of companies surveyed spent more on cloud services than they expected to, and 56% expect to continue exceeding cloud budgets in the future.

GEICO, the insurance provider, discovered just how costly cloud computing can be when last year they received a $300 million USD bill from AWS. This made them reconsider their reliance on the cloud, and ultimately made the switch to on-premises and hybrid cloud storage options.

Data Sovereignty and Compliance

Another reason why many companies consider cloud repatriation is for compliance and data sovereignty purposes. Many countries around the world have laws governing where and how sensitive data can be stored. For example, the GDPR regulations in Europe.

In order to remain compliant with the regulations, some companies have found that the easiest solution is to store their own data. On-premises solutions offer a degree of certainty and control over where your data is stored.

Performance and Reliability

Public cloud offerings are significantly lacking when it comes to the kind of performance and reliability that many organizations need when it comes to high-availability, low-latency data requirements.

Being wholly dependent on another company’s performance, uptime, and maintenance is not an ideal situation to be in for many companies that run critical operations and need a higher level of control over those operations.

Security Considerations

When it comes to security considerations, the public cloud leaves much to be desired. Organizations that store and manage mission-critical data and systems, like energy producers, military organizations, and government agencies, have security requirements that the average public cloud service can’t meet.

Companies may also switch their security services and operations away from the cloud for improved oversight over access, authorization and authentication controls. For example, increasing the robustness of authentication systems like MFA is one of the reasons customers may consider switching to on-premises solutions.

The role of MFA in cloud repatriation

As organizations bring critical workloads back on-premises, securing access to these systems becomes more important than ever. That’s where multi-factor authentication (MFA) can play a pivotal role.

use mfa for cloud repatriation

MFA requires users to login to systems using two or more identity factors (something you know, something you have, or something you are). Using MFA as a first line of defence against breaches and unauthorized access can help protect your newly migrated data from attack.

However, if you use a cloud MFA solution for this protection, you’re leaving yourself open to the same drawbacks that prompted the move on-premises in the first place.

This is why your MFA solution should move with your workload to an on-premises environment, for improved integration, security and compliance. One MFA solution that can integrate with your on-premises infrastructure is LoginTC Managed.

How LoginTC Managed MFA can help you get off the cloud

LoginTC Managed is a fully on-premises, comprehensive MFA solution that can protect your critical operations in high-security, air-gapped, and self-hosted environments.
Some of the key benefits that LoginTC Managed can bring to your organization include:

  • Enhanced Control: LoginTC Managed gives administrators complete control over authentication processes. Choose where it’s deployed, who has access to it, and which systems and users it protects.
  • Robust Security: With no external dependencies required or external communications, LoginTC Managed offers a higher degree of security than an average cloud solution.
  • Regulatory Compliance: By implementing LoginTC Managed on your premises, you can easily meet data sovereignty requirements while complying with other regulations that require the use of MFA.
  • Flexibility: LoginTC Managed is designed to scale with your organizational needs without any reliance on the cloud or external services. A broad feature-set gives administrators the ability to set flexible policies that work for your organization’s needs.

Who should use on-premises MFA?

While MFA has become a table-stakes cybersecurity control that all organizations should implement, a regular cloud solution might suffice. Businesses that need an on-premises deployment of MFA are usually in higher-security industries, or those that have stringent compliance requirements.

industries needing on prem mfa

Here are some industries that should consider taking their MFA operations out of the cloud:

  • Financial services: Banks, investment firms, accountants, and other financial services firms, all need to protect sensitive financial data and meet compliance standards that could benefit from an on-prem MFA solution.
  • Healthcare: Securing access to patient records while adhering to HIPAA is simpler than ever with an MFA solution that gives you full control over the deployment. Keep medical records out of the cloud for stronger protection from data breaches.
  • Government and defense: Safeguarding critical systems against cyber threats and ensuring data sovereignty is a must-have for government and military organizations. An on-prem MFA offers the security and control required to protect nation-state data.
  • Energy producers: High-output energy producers are required through NERC CIP and other regulations to comply with data sovereignty laws and implement MFA. Both of which are easy to meet with an on-prem MFA solution.

How to incorporate MFA into cloud repatriation plans

If your organization is considering cloud repatriation, there are some key considerations to factor in when making the move. Making MFA a central part of the process can ensure data security throughout the entire process.

First, you should assess what your company’s current authentication systems are, with a focus on identifying any cloud dependencies. Next, create a migration plan that includes testing and phased deployment of an on-premises MFA solution.

Thirdly, ensure that an employee training program is implemented on the new system to ensure smooth adoption. Finally, continuously monitor and update the system to address evolving threats.

Conclusion

As organizations move critical workloads back on-premises, securing these systems is paramount. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ensures that access remains protected against evolving cyber threats.

logintc managed on prem mfa

LoginTC Managed stands out as a trusted, robust on-premises MFA solution that enhances security, supports compliance, and seamlessly integrates with your infrastructure. By choosing LoginTC Managed, organizations can achieve the security and control they need without relying on cloud-based services.

Schedule an MFA consultation to see LoginTC Managed in action and understand how it can transform your authentication strategy.

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