Cloud storage is all the rage these days, and for good reason. But that doesn’t mean its foolproof. Cloud storage is a useful tool, but it isn’t right for everybody. Before deciding to rely entirely on cloud storage for your business files and information, consider the pros and cons of using a cloud storage service, and consider some of the things you can do to keep your data safe.
First, here are some of the many advantages of using cloud storage to store your personal or business documents:
1) It’s really easy! Many cloud storage services are available, and you simply have to install the software and choose the types of documents which you’d like back-up to the cloud. Anyone can learn to do it with just a little bit of research.
2) It’s super cheap. Cloud storage can be a huge money saver for businesses and people. When you store your files in the cloud, you can spend less money on buying a computer with space to hold all your files.
3) It opens up a lot of space. Get rid of the mountains of paper files slowing down your business. When your data is stored on the cloud, its easy to access and takes up exactly zero physical space. Use all that space for something more important!
4) It’s safe from natural disasters! Files stored in the cloud do not die with your computer. Rest easy knowing your important files will always be safe.
5) Cloud files are easy to access! When you save your files to the cloud, you never have to worry about being able to find exactly which document you need in any situation.
But no service is foolproof, and there are some real dangers to consider when deciding to save your files to the cloud. Here’s just a few:
1) Potential privacy/security concerns. One huge issue with storing files in the cloud is that there’s always the possibility that your data wont be kept private. After all, its on the internet. For businesses where security is a primary concern, storing files in the cloud requires you to take extra precautions to protect the security of your files. Just recently, for example, Dropbox suffered a prolonged outage due to a maintenance task gone wrong.
2) Reliability. Another issue is that your files are at the mercy of the service providing the cloud storage. Start-up companies fail, and even cloud services offered by larger companies have suffered from high profile failures and data loss.
On balance, cloud storage is a great innovation and potentially an excellent option for your personal or business needs. But you must always be aware of the serious potential security and reliability issues that are associated with storing your files on the cloud. You may want to look into backing up whatever files you’ve stored in the cloud in some other manner. When documents which are important to your business and clients are on the line, you want to do whatever you can to ensure those files are protected.
So the moral of the story is take a long hard look at your business or personal needs, and the potential pros and cons of using a cloud storage service, then get in touch with specialists like Giacom. If so, make sure you research the various options extensively to ensure that you make the right decision for you. When it comes to storage in the cloud, there is no one size fits all option.
Posted by Ross Deprey
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