PTP Solves: How AWS Direct Connect Powers Fast, Secure Cloud Data for Biotech
Many biotech companies are moving operations to the cloud to access the magnitude of compute power needed to analyze the volume of data being generated with new technologies. However, achieving seamless, secure, and reliable connectivity between on-premises data centers and cloud infrastructure becomes critical. This is where AWS Direct Connect steps in, offering a high-performance, dedicated network connection to Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this blog, we’ll explore the key benefits of using AWS Direct Connect and why PTP may, or may not, recommend it to biotech companies seeking to manage their data from the lab to and in the cloud more effectively.
What is AWS Direct Connect?
AWS Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection between your on-premises environment and AWS. Unlike using the public internet or a virtual private network (VPN) to access AWS services, Direct Connect establishes a private, high-bandwidth connection, bypassing the potential bottlenecks and variability that can come with internet-based communication. It enables businesses to create a hybrid environment that links their local infrastructure to the global scale of AWS, enabling access to scalable cloud services.
Key Benefits of AWS Direct Connect
Enhanced Performance and Low Latency
One of the biggest advantages of AWS Direct Connect is its ability to provide a more consistent and lower-latency experience compared to internet-based connections. When dealing with time-sensitive applications, data transfers from lab devices, or workloads that require real-time processing, as low latency is critical. Direct Connect provides a high-performance link that ensures smooth and fast data transfers.
Improved Reliability
Public internet connections, including VPNs, are prone to network congestion, packet loss, and variability in speed. In contrast, AWS Direct Connect offers a more reliable and predictable connection by providing a dedicated, private link to AWS. This minimizes the risk of performance degradation caused by fluctuating internet traffic, providing biotech organizations the stability needed for data transfer and management.
Increased Bandwidth for High Data Transfers
Since biotech organizations can move large amounts of data between their on-premises data centers and AWS, the bandwidth offered by Direct Connect can significantly improve the efficiency and speed of these transfers. Whether you’re migrating databases, conducting backups, or running analytics on large data sets, Direct Connect can handle high-volume data movements more efficiently than a standard internet connection.
Cost Savings on Data Transfer
Using AWS Direct Connect can lead to cost savings on data transfer fees. AWS Direct Connect offers lower data transfer rates compared to using public internet access points. For biotech companies moving large amounts of data, these reduced data transfer costs can quickly add up to substantial savings over time.
Enhanced Security
Security is always a top concern when transferring sensitive data between environments. By providing a dedicated connection that bypasses the public internet, AWS Direct Connect significantly enhances data security. Businesses can leverage this private connection to reduce the exposure of their data to external threats, as well as use encrypted traffic between their on-premises environment and AWS for an additional layer of security.
Flexibility and Scalability
AWS Direct Connect supports multiple virtual interfaces, allowing businesses to connect to multiple VPCs, AWS accounts, or AWS regions from the same physical connection. This flexibility makes it easier for businesses to scale their operations and expand into new scalable cloud AWS services and regions without needing to establish additional connections.
Use Cases for AWS Direct Connect
Data-Intensive Workloads: For companies running big data analytics, machine learning models, or media processing, Direct Connect offers the high bandwidth and low latency required for efficient data transfers.
Real-Time Applications: If your company’s workflows require real-time processing, AWS Direct Connect provides a seamless, low latency integration between data collection, storage, and analysis. While internet connections may sometimes provide similar speeds, AWS Direct Connect can assure consistent performance, regardless of internet traffic inside or outside your organization.
Regulatory Compliance: By using Direct Connect’s private, dedicated network, biotech companies can streamline applicable compliance controls related to data transfer.
Situations that PTP would NOT Recommend Direct Connect
Very Early Stage: If your company is still in the early stages and has not reached the threshold for volume of data transfer that makes AWS Direct Connect more cost effective, we may recommend that you continue using a standard public internet connection. However, as part of our assessment process, we will make sure your environment is set up to be ready to seamlessly transition to AWS Direct Connect once the volume of data warrants it.
Conclusion
AWS Direct Connect provides growing, data-intensive biotech companies with a fast, reliable, and secure way to connect their on-premises environments to AWS. Whether you’re dealing with large-scale data transfers, running mission-critical applications, or operating in a hybrid cloud environment, Direct Connect offers enhanced performance, cost savings, and improved cloud data security. As cloud adoption continues to rise, AWS Direct Connect continues to be an essential service for companies looking to achieve high-performance cloud connectivity and ensure smooth, secure operations.
By leveraging AWS Direct Connect, biotech companies can unlock new levels of performance and scalability, enabling them to fully realize the potential of their scientific data.
Have you implemented AWS Direct Connect in your infrastructure? Share your experience or let the team at PTP know how you’re planning to take advantage of its benefits!
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