What is Cloud Databases?

Definition of cloud databases

A cloud database is a database that is built, deployed, and accessed in a cloud computing environment. This means the data is stored and accessed over the internet, rather than on a physical, on-premises server. It serves many of the same functions as a traditional database but with the added flexibility of cloud computing.

From the point of view of database usage, design, and performance, a cloud database is essentially the same as an on-premises database that is hosted on an organization’s hardware – though there are cloud-native database applications that only exist in the cloud.

No on-premise equipment is required for cloud databases and server administration is broadly the responsibility of the cloud vendor. Organizations pay only for what they use. In the event of a natural disaster, equipment failure, or power outage, data is kept secure through backups on remote servers.

However, while on-premise databases come with more maintenance requirements, they can in some instances provide greater control. One way to adjust the level of control is to choose between the two common deployment models for cloud databases:

• Database as a Service (DBaaS):  Users pay fees to a cloud provider for database services and the computing resources to support it. Tools are provided to create and manage database instances, but the cloud vendor is responsible for service provisioning, patching and software upgrades, supporting infrastructure availability, security and resilience. Some cloud providers also offer tools to monitor, backup and restore database services.
   
• Cloud-based virtual machine:  Users run databases on the cloud independently, setting up and managing their database server using a virtual machine image. In this model, the user’s in-house IT team is responsible for database administration and maintenance. The cloud vendor still services the physical hardware and other underlying infrastructure.

Cloud databases are rapidly evolving and there is an increasing push towards fully-managed cloud databases where cloud hosting vendors do much of the management. Legacy database systems are also steadily transitioning to cloud-based solutions.

Types of cloud databases

Databases in the cloud can be categorized into several types based on their data model and functionality. Here are the main types of cloud databases:

• Relational cloud databases: Also known as SQL databases, these are built on the traditional relational database model. They use a structured query language (SQL) to manage and manipulate data. Relational cloud databases are ideal for structured data, such as retail analytics data related to transactions, inventory, or customer information.
   
• Non-relational cloud databases: These databases, also known as NoSQL databases, store and manage unstructured data, such as email and mobile message text, documents, surveys, rich media files, and sensor data. These databases don’t follow a clearly defined schema like relational databases and allow organizations to save and organize information regardless of its structure.
   
• Cloud data warehouses: These are large-scale repositories based on Relational or NoSL databases that store and manage data from various sources. They are designed for analytical processing and business intelligence operations. They can handle large volumes of read-only data and provide extensive query capabilities.
   

Choosing the right type of cloud database involves considering factors including the volume and nature of data handled, the need for scalability, the deployment environment, as well as performance and capacity requirements.

Best practices for cloud database management

Database management is a critical part of any organization's overall business strategy, ensuring companies can effectively leverage data to make decisions and drive actions. Here are suggested best practices for cloud database management:

• Set business goals: Clearly outline business goals related to company's data. Knowing what organizations plan to do with the data collected can help keep only the information that is relevant to organizational goals, ensuring that data management software doesn't get overcrowded and unorganized.
   
• Establish policies and procedures: This includes backup and recovery procedures. Database management best practices enable database administrators to maintain databases more effectively. With today’s increasingly complex data management and multi-cloud environments, the administrator’s role needs the right resources and support.
   
• Ensure data quality: Check and clean the data before it is used in any analytics or reporting to improve the accuracy of all metrics pulled from said data. Making data quality a top priority helps to keep all aspects of a company’s data clean and reliable. Focus on data lineage: the data's origin, what happens to it, and where it moves over time. This process provides visibility and simplifies tracing errors back to the root cause.
   
• Documentation and compliance: Produce multiple levels of documentation that provide full context to why the data exists and how it can be utilized. This includes project-level, file-level, and software used. Compliance with data protection regulations is crucial too.
   
• Vendor management: It is important to thoroughly vet a cloud database vendor for the risk of experiencing connection outages and security concerns specific to the cloud environment. Also monitor the risk of becoming dependent on a single vendor.

Best practice for cloud databases is not dissimilar to traditional databases, but there are a few unique factors to bear in mind. As a last point, note that they pay-per-use nature of cloud databases demand careful cost control and usage monitoring.

Cloud database security

Cloud data security is essential for organizations that rely on cloud services to store and manage their data. Implementing best practices for cloud data security can help protect sensitive information and maintain compliance with relevant regulations. Here are best practices for cloud data security:

• Understand the shared responsibility model: Cloud security is a shared responsibility between the cloud service provider and the customer. The provider is responsible for securing the infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for securing the data stored on that infrastructure.
   

• Secure access: Implement strong authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorized users can access your cloud environment. Control user access to sensitive data by implementing role-based access control and monitoring privileged users.
   

• Encrypt data: Implement encryption for data in transit and data at rest to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and data breaches. Use unique encryption keys whenever possible to maintain full control over data access.
   
• Monitor for misconfigurations: Regularly monitor your cloud environment for misconfigurations that could expose data to security risks. Use tools like cloud security posture management (CSPM) to automate the detection and remediation of misconfigurations.
   
• Perform vulnerability assessment: Regularly assess the cloud environment for vulnerabilities and implement remediation measures to address them. Perform penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in your cloud environment.
   
• Train employees: Educate employees about cloud security best practices and the potential risks associated with cloud environments. This includes training on how to prevent common mistakes and the consequences of breaking security policies.

Again, just as with cloud database best practices, many of the security principles behind cloud databases are similar to the security principles for on-premise databases. That said, it is worth bearing in mind that cloud databases exist on shared infrastructure on the internet – and to counter for the unique security risks this entails.