These days, the sheer amount of data that needs to be stored has increased in the past few years. The most common reason is that the masses have converted from paper documents to saving files for long periods for legislative compliance. The increase in data storage has become eminent and useful. Nowadays any small business can exist without cloud storage to make real money. While most of us have already invested in external hard drives and similar devices, a growing trend is taking advantage of cloud storage. If you’re new to cloud migration, start with our detailed guide on Cloud Migration Challenges to gain a thorough understanding of the migration process and the challenges involved.
What Is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is a system that stores data on the internet via a provider that manages the data storage. The storage is delivered on-demand based on the cost and eliminates the need to buy data storage devices. This will give you agility and durability on a global scale, with data that you can access anytime from anywhere.
What Are Some Cloud Storage Advantages?
Some cloud storage advantages include the following:
Disaster Recovery
The data is stored and backed up in an external device. Therefore, there are minimum chances of system failure. Additionally, the data is stored thousands of miles away from your current location. That means you will not have to pay extra money for data retrieval. Providers will keep creating a backup of your stored data automatically. As a result, you reduce stress and save money and time.
Automatic Backups
When it comes to cloud storage security, cloud storage keeps doing it automatically, as mentioned above. However, creating a regular backup of data can hamper some operations for some organizations. Such technologies often take a simplified approach to overcome this challenge via automation. Administrators simply need to select the data they want to backup, and the services will take care of the task.
Scalability
In the case of cloud storage in business, you will only have to pay for the data storage you require. As your company grows, the solution will accommodate the growth in data as you see fit. As a result, you may have to increase the storage space than what you already are using. On the other hand, if your business doesn’t work out the way you planned, you can also choose lower storage spaces at a reduced rate. Almost all companies offer scalable plans to fit the sizes and needs of various businesses.
Accessibility
When you use cloud storage for photos, your data is stored off-site and can be accessed from anywhere. It can be quite an advantage if you have teams at different time zones or you travel frequently. Cloud storage also helps facilitate a collaborative process, especially if the team members are in other parts of the world. It would allow employees to work from home or abroad.
What Are Some Cloud Storage Disadvantages?
Some cloud storage disadvantages include the following:
Lack Of Control
Your data will be stored off-site so you cannot control the company. Therefore, you lack the control to customize your data storage setup. If you have a large company with complex needs, it could prove to be a severe issue. While customization is something that companies are working on, this lack of features can cause some problems.
Privacy And Security Concerns
According to the cloud storage definition, you will be handing your data over to third parties. When you do so, you first need to ensure that the company is trustworthy and will keep your data safe and secure. There have been many instances of data abuse in the past. For instance, Dropbox deleted the data of all its customers in 2014 due to a security glitch.
Dependency On The Internet
The data that is stored in the cloud can only be accessed by the internet. This means that if you use this option in business and cannot access the internet, it can be costly for your company. In addition, if the internet connection is too slow, you will have to wait for more time than normal to access the data in the cloud.
Fixed Contracts
Many providers trap you in long-term contracts. It means that even if your cloud storage capacity and requirement have been reduced, you will have to pay the same amount that has been signed in the contract. This is one of the most severe disadvantages of using such technology.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, cloud storage has made life much easier in terms of easy storage and quick accessibility. You will find many trustworthy companies in this market that offer the best cloud storage options for you. However, you shouldn’t forget about the disadvantages as well. The type of cloud you require will depend on what your company needs.
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments!
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