The process refers to acquiring the software component that facilitates secure data transfer between on-premises data sources and cloud services. This component acts as a bridge, allowing cloud-based applications and services to access data residing within a private network or behind a firewall. As an illustration, it allows Power BI in the cloud to retrieve data from an SQL Server database located on a company’s local server.
Its significance lies in enabling organizations to leverage cloud-based analytics, reporting, and other services without exposing their sensitive data directly to the internet. This provides a secure and controlled method for accessing and utilizing internal data for business intelligence and application development in cloud environments. Historically, this method became essential as organizations increasingly adopted hybrid cloud strategies, needing to integrate existing on-premises infrastructure with newer cloud-based solutions.
