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January 28, 2025 •
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
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.
Some companies choose to move all of their operations out of the cloud, while others decide to repatriate only a portion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Here are some industries that should consider taking their MFA operations out of the cloud:
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.
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 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.