Moving OT Systems to a Dedicated Private Cloud: Your Private Cloud Services Checklist
There’s a strong case to be made for isolating Operational Technology (OT) from the IT network, by migrating it to a secure, dedicated private cloud environment. By moving OT to a private cloud, building stakeholders can free their IT teams of the additional burden of managing OT, make it easier to modernize OT infrastructure, improve security and control, improve access to building data and OT apps, and potentially control costs related to managing on-premise services.
Before starting the process of migrating your OT systems to a private cloud, there’s work to be done upfront—including selecting the right private cloud service and the right vendor to manage, monitor, and support it. There are abundant private cloud services out there to choose from. But the vast majority don’t have the robust level of security, interoperability, or guaranteed uptime you need to make sure your OT systems are supporting efficient, effective, and safe building operations. What’s more, most vendors that provide private cloud services have little to no understanding of OT requirements and building performance challenges.
When It’s Time to Migrate OT to a Private Cloud Service
Your first step in choosing a private cloud service for your OT systems, is to determine whether it’s the right time to migrate. Not sure if a private could is the right solution for you? Start by asking yourself these questions.
- Are your on-premises servers nearing their end-of-life?
If your on-prem services haven’t been updated and/or regularly maintained in 10 years or more, now might be the ideal time to migrate to a private cloud. Moving to a secure private cloud eliminates the time and cost of managing hardware and software lifecycles, licensing complexities, and the risks associated with running outdated systems. - Are you planning a BAS upgrade?
Timing your move to the cloud with your building automation system (BAS) upgrade gives you the opportunity to maximize the benefits of automated systems with greater efficiency, flexibility, and security. - Are you responsible for a large enterprise with multiple locations?
A private cloud service can address the complex challenges of operating multiple buildings and locations across a dispersed geographic range, with centralized access to data, enhanced standardization, compliance and security, and more scalability. - Has your IT department completed a cybersecurity audit?
If your IT team has exposed BAS and OT vulnerabilities during a cybersecurity audit, migrating to a private cloud may be the best way to address their concerns and close the security gaps. What’s more, moving BAS and OT to a private cloud environment removes those systems from the IT infrastructure and thus out of the purview of the IT staff.
What to Look for in a Private Cloud Service Provider
Once you’ve decided that migrating your OT and BAS to a private cloud environment is the right move for you, it’s time to start comparing private cloud services and their providers. This checklist of must-haves will help you find the right service as well as the right partner.
- Interoperability with BAS OEMs.
Make sure the service and vendor you select integrate seamlessly with BAS OEMs.
- Managed Services Included
Choose a vendor that offers dedicated support services to manage, monitor, and maintain the environment for you. That includes deploying regular updates, performing cross-compatibility checks between software vendors, and operating system patching. - Guaranteed Data Access
Look for a private cloud service from a vendor that can guarantee data access and visibility 24/7/365, from any location and device at any time, for approved personnel. - Robust Cybersecurity Protocols
Choose a private cloud service from a vendor that offers proven cybersecurity and protection, and that performs regular backups for redundancy and continuity. - OT and Building Performance Expertise
Look for a vendor that understands and has experience supporting the unique needs and challenges of facilities departments and the OT systems they use. - Support for Multiple Locations
Along with OT-specific experience, if you have a large footprint, make sure the vendor you select has the capacity and resources to support multiple buildings and locations nationwide.
Embracing a Private Cloud Service: Next Steps for Success
Before you select a private cloud service and provider to help with migrating your OT systems, there are some key internal steps to set up you and your IT and facilities teams for success.
Step 1: Assess and Evaluate
Perform an extensive audit of your on-premises server set-up to identify existing vulnerabilities and performance issues, and to determine where you are in your current product lifecycle stage.
Step 2: Define Roles
Identify who will be responsible for what, across both IT teams and facilities departments. This will also help you determine any overlapping roles and/or potential areas of conflict. Encourage open communication and collaboration between the two departments.
Step 3: Secure Buy-In
Communicate the value and need for migrating OT to a private cloud to your key buildings stakeholders as well as IT and facilities departments. Their buy-in and support will be critical to a smooth transition and implementation.
Step 4: Make a Plan
Create a detailed plan for securing, configuring, and installing the necessary hardware and transferring the data and apps to the cloud while minimizing downtime.
Step 5: Find a Partner
Find an experienced partner to help you plan and implement the migration process. Ideally, your partner should also continually monitor and manage your private cloud environment to maximize security, uptime, and performance.
Checking Your List of Private Cloud Service Requirements
A leading independent building controls and energy services provider focused on helping customers operate intelligent, high-performing buildings, Albireo Energy has built its Private Cloud Service on a deep foundation of OT expertise. This Private Cloud Service offers a robustly secure private cloud environment dedicated to building stakeholders, with advanced cyber protection and redundancy for continuity. Integration-ready with all common BAS applications, our Private Cloud Service provides interoperability and standardization that reduce demands on IT resources.
More than the private cloud environment, Albireo Energy provides end-to-end management, from configuring and installing hardware to transferring OT applications and data to the cloud, with minimal downtime. And unlike most cloud offerings, Albireo Energy’s Private Cloud Service includes continual monitoring, management, and maintenance of your private cloud environment, ensuring 99% uptime and guaranteed access to data.
For more detail on the advantages of and strategies for migrating OT systems to a Private Cloud Service, download our white paper here. If you’d like to talk with a specialist about whether Private Cloud Service is the right solution for your building operations, reach out to Albireo Energy today.
