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Nowadays, when it comes to creating a secure backup of files, cloud storage is preferable to local storage. The reason is its low cost, data availability, etc. But, does that mean there are no downsides to using cloud storage?

Today we will discuss cloud storage, its advantages and disadvantages, and which is better – cloud storage or local storage.

What is cloud storage

Cloud storage is, simply put, a system or storage space that allows you to store data online. Whether you’re talking about Google Drive, Yandex Drive, Dropbox or iCloud, the definition remains the same. Cloud storage allows you to store your data in the cloud, thereby allowing you to access your data anywhere and anytime from any device.

It’s very useful, and can be used by both corporate and home users. If you travel for work and hate carrying around bulky hard drives, use online storage.

Using cloud storage to store digital data

What’s more, the automatic backup feature will save you from having to remember to back up your data. But with these advantages, cloud storage also has certain disadvantages. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Types of cloud storage

Here we can distinguish three main cloud storage access models:

• Public. This one is more suitable for unstructured data on a subscription basis. You have to pay to use it. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon Glacier, Google Cloud Storage Nearline and Microsoft Azure dominate this market sector.
• Private. This type of cloud storage is typically deployed in a firewall-protected environment. It’s often hosted internally, but offers the features of commercial, public storage. Those with strict security requirements and who need more control over their data should use private cloud storage.
• Hybrid. As the name suggests, this is a combination of public and private cloud storage services. This model gives companies more flexibility and more options for deploying data.

Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage

On the one hand, cloud storage gives you the ability to share and access your files remotely. It also makes you dependent on an Internet connection.

Let’s learn about the pros and cons of cloud storage.

Advantages of cloud storage

The most notable and well-known benefit of cloud storage is the savings on the cost of external hard drives. In addition, it also includes various benefits, and they are listed below:

Save money, pay only for what is consumed – Online storage or cloud storage requires the customer to pay only for the storage used. This means you can save on a lot of capital costs. To use cloud storage, you have to pay a subscription fee, but the fee is so low that it goes unnoticed.

• Accessibility – Cloud storage allows you to access all your downloaded files from anywhere, anytime. The only thing you need to take care of is an Internet connection.
• Synchronize and update your data – With cloud storage, you don’t have to worry about updating your data. When you work and make changes to a file, they are automatically synced and updated on all devices. This makes it easier to collaborate with teams.
• Reduced cost of storage devices. Because cloud storage users only need to pay for the space they use, they can save significantly on external storage.
• Ease of use – Accessing cloud storage is simple and requires less time. This means that companies, software testers and developers can easily access and maintain data; it also helps to fix bugs and release security updates.
• Cost savings at a remote site – Public cloud storage helps share data with a remote site for backup and security. Again, this helps save a lot of money because businesses don’t have to maintain their remote facilities.
• Security – Cloud storage providers add a layer of security to their services to protect data. This helps avoid stress and protect data at no extra cost.
• Usability – Cloud storage typically offers desktop applications. This allows users to drag and drop files between cloud storage and local storage.
• Bandwidth – Saves you the hassle of emailing individual files; you can send the recipient a web link and share all the files, thereby saving bandwidth.
• Emergency Backup Plan. Another benefit of using cloud storage is that it acts as a disaster backup plan. This means that you can easily store your files in a remote location, protected from various malicious attacks.
• Multiple users – more than one person can use the same cloud environment. For example, if multiple users have access to a file, everyone can work on it at the same time.
• Scalability. Flexibility and scalability is another advantage of cloud storage. This means that if your current plan doesn’t work for you, you can upgrade without moving your data anywhere.
• Instant data recovery. When an unforeseen incident occurs (malware attack, hard drive failure) beyond our control, the first thing we lose is data. In such scenarios, cloud storage becomes the salvation. This is one of the biggest advantages of cloud storage.
• So, those are a few of the benefits that cloud storage has to offer. But sometimes this ease of use can be one of the downsides.

Let’s discuss the disadvantages of cloud storage.

Disadvantages of cloud storage

Like every coin has two sides, cloud technology has its drawbacks. These are some of the few disadvantages of cloud storage.

• Drag-and-drop option – Although this option is considered easy to use, it can sometimes cause files to be lost. Therefore, use the copy and paste method instead of dragging and dropping files.
• Dependence on your Internet connection. If you do not have an active Internet connection, you cannot access data stored in the cloud. Sometimes this corrupts files and renders you helpless.
• Data security and privacy. Not all cloud storage providers can protect your data. So when choosing a cloud storage service, make sure that it follows all security measures and does not allow your data to leak.
• Expensive cloud storage service. If you are a home user and choose a cloud service for business, it can be expensive. Choose your plan wisely and purchase the necessary storage.
• The problem with data migration is a serious failure or lack of cloud storage. Once you decide to migrate from one provider to another, you may run into a problem.
• Vulnerability to online attacks – Because your sensitive personal and business information is stored in the cloud, they are vulnerable to attack. Since the Internet can’t be completely trusted; therefore, there is always an opportunity to attack the data.
• Data management. Another disadvantage of cloud storage is data management. Because cloud storage follows its own structure for saving data, your business’ existing system may not integrate with it.
• Lifetime costs. If you use public cloud storage, the cost of storage can increase over the years.
• These are the disadvantages of using cloud storage.

Now it’s up to you to decide what’s more important to you. However, if you’re still looking for more information, here are a few things to help.

Reflections on cloud storage

To see if cloud storage will be cost-effective, consider the following points:

• Compare the one-time and recurring costs of data management and cloud storage.
• Check whether or not you need to incur the additional cost of connecting to a cloud provider.
• Make sure the cloud provider takes data security and privacy into consideration.
• Do the advantages of cloud storage outweigh the disadvantages?
• Cloud services have been popular across all industries lately. Regardless of the size of an organization, everyone needs a cloud storage service because it is a powerful weapon in the competition.

What’s more, the cost effectiveness, availability, disaster recovery management and other outstanding benefits of cloud storage give it an undeniable advantage. So I think the pros may outweigh the cons. But that’s my opinion.